Meet Tinlee Tonozzi, the 9-Year-Old Making Her Mark in the Arena

Tinlee Tonozzi is only 9 years old, but she is already starting to build a rodeo résumé of her own.

The daughter of three-time world champion and 18-time NFR qualifier Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and two-time NFR qualifier Garrett Tonozzi, Tinlee qualified for her first Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) Finals this year after winning six of the 10 rodeos she entered.

Plus, this handy 9-year-old cowgirl won those rodeos on three different horses. It is safe to say she has learned a little something from her mom. For a 9-year-old, or anyone, that is a standout season.

Tinlee has spent her life around rodeo and horses, watching both of her parents compete and learning from two people who have spent years at the highest levels of the sport. Now she is getting to experience those moments herself.

This year she earned her a spot at the CPRA Finals which took place in Hempstead, Texas. 

Garrett shared the accomplishment before the finals, pointing out just how much work his daughter had put into getting there.

“We’re incredibly proud of her hard work, determination, and the horsemanship she’s shown all year,” he said.

While Garrett was in Sioux Falls competing at the Governor’s Cup, Brittany and Tinlee headed to Hempstead for the CPRA Finals.

Tinlee didn't waste much time making her first finals appearance count. She won the first round.

For Brittany, who has spent nearly two decades competing at the NFR and has won three world championships, getting to watch her daughter have those moments is becoming something special.

After Tinlee's first-round win, Brittany shared the video and a reminder that rodeo is about more than the next check or another win.

“Sometimes making memories with your kids is way more important than any futurity, barrel race or rodeo that you could have gone to yourself,” Brittany wrote.

That is what this season has become for the Tonozzis. Tinlee is getting to compete, win and learn, while her parents get to be there for it. In fact, Tinlee is starting to keep up with her parents in the arena too. 

Brittany has spent her career setting the bar pretty high. Eighteen NFR qualifications and three world championships make for a résumé that very few barrel racers can match. Tinlee is obviously still at the very beginning of hers, but she is already showing plenty of signs that she belongs there. 

Six wins in ten rodeos is not something that happens by accident and neither is qualifying for a finals at 9 years old. There is no doubt that the Texas amateur rodeos are extremely tough with the best of the best showing up. 

There will be plenty more rodeos, futurities and barrel races ahead for Tinlee. She will keep learning from her parents, keep getting better and keep finding out what kind of competitor she wants to become. She has already proven that she can hold her own. 

Tinlee Tonozzi may have been born into one of rodeo's most accomplished families, but she is starting to make sure her name stands on its own.