About the Y4
THE RANCH
The Y4 Ranch went from dream to reality when we purchased our little slice of heaven on Eby Avenue in 2005. The property sits in a small valley across from the luxurious Ranch at the Canyons. A fantastic view of Smith Rock graces our eastern horizon with it’s famed Monkey Face overlooking the Y4. Although the name implies a vast working cattle or horse ranch, it is merely the realization of a dream two teachers had upon their union in 1994.
Immediately after moving in, our arena was put in and plans were made to continue helping kids develop their rodeo skills. To date, it has been the site of yearly goat tying clinics, rodeo camps and serves it’s primary purpose as a practice facility for the Young family. We have been graced with so many wonderful people who have attended clinics, camps, events and dropped by for lessons or social occasions. So many fabulous memories have been made at the Y4 and we hope to continue to build more.
THE FAMILY
Ryan and Karen Young met at a college rodeo in Nyssa, Oregon. It wasn’t long before the couple realized a common dream…to rope, raise a family, and help our youth.
Ryan is a native of Central Point, Oregon. While in high school, he was the OHSRA team roping champion in 1989 and 1990 and qualified 3 years to compete at the NHSFR in team roping and calf roping. While attending Walla Walla Community College, he qualified 3 years to compete at the CNFR and 2 more times while attending Washington State University.
Karen is a native of Colton, Washington. While in high school, she qualified 4 years to compete at the NHSFR, placing 7th nationally in the goat tying in 1990. She was the WSHSRA goat tying champion in 1991. While attending Washington State University, Karen won the Northwest Region in goat tying, breakaway roping and the women’s all-around in 1993, 1994 and 1996, then finishing 2nd regionally in all three events in 1995. 1995 was the year of 2nd place finishes for Karen as she went on to place 2nd in the nation at the CNFR in goat tying, breakaway roping and the women’s all-around. Through high school and college, Karen accumulated nearly $12,000 in scholarship earnings.
The Young family grew to include two sons; Dillon and Preston. In their first year of competing in junior rodeos, Dillon, 7, won year end buckles in the dummy roping, stake race, and goat flanking with a 2nd place finish in the barrel racing. Preston, 5, finished his first season 4th in the barrel racing and dummy roping, 5th in the stake race and 8th in the goat flanking. Both boys competed at the Palouse River Ropers Association family rodeos in the 7 and under category. They also went to the Southern Oregon Junior Rodeo and won their first buckles, sweeping both dummy roping categories. (This was extra special because it was also the rodeo in which their Dad had won his first belt buckle!) In their second season at the PRRA rodeos, little brother Preston edged out his older brother to win the goat flanking for the year end. (Did I mention Dillon had a broken leg for two rodeos?) The dummy roping competition was fierce as the boys tied, in points, for the dummy roping championship, but Dillon took home the buckle based on money won. Together, the boys won each event in the 7 and under category. They added to their buckle collection by winning the dummy roping in their categories at the Klamath USTRC roping and the Southern Oregon Junior Rodeo. Fall of 2009 was extra special as both boys entered their first team roping jackpot, and friends and family were on hand when Dillon caught two feet on Dad's new horse! It was a beautiful loop and he dallied like a pro!
Today, the Young boys continue to enter many team roping jackpots and compete in the Central Oregon Junior Rodeo Association. In 2011, Preston won the goat tying and breakaway roping in the junior division.
