Derr excited to continue rodeo career at Missouri Valley College

By Andy Brown
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: July 21, 2025

Louisburg graduate Addy Derr signed to join the Missouri Valley College rodeo program earlier this year. Seated next to Addy are her parents Carl and Lisa Derr. Standing is Missouri Valley coach Ken Mason.

Addy Derr has spent most of her young life rodeoing, and the Louisburg High School graduate doesn’t want it to end any time soon.

Derr, who has a lot of experience in the high school circuit, is not ready to put the rodeo life behind her – instead she is ready to take the next step in college.

Earlier this year, Derr signed to join the rodeo program at Missouri Valley College and at the same time, fulfilled a long-time goal.

“I’ve dreamed of college rodeo since I was in sixth grade,” Derr said. “To see all the hard work I put in throughout high school finally payoff is incredibly rewarding. It’s amazing to know that every practice, every late night, and every rodeo led me to this next chapter of my life.”

It was a chapter that turned out to be an unexpected turn for Derr. As she was looking for a future school, Missouri Valley wasn’t even an option at the time – that was until she heard from its coach.

Missouri Valley’s Ken Mason, who has led the Viking rodeo program since 2006, reached out to Derr to let her know about the school and it turned out to be the perfect spot for her future college home.

“Missouri Valley wasn’t originally on my radar, but that changed when Coach Mason reached out to me,” Derr said. “After touring the campus, I just knew it was the right fit. The facilities are top-notch, and the coaching staff is amazing. They’ve created a welcoming, home-like environment that made my decision easy.”

It has been a busy summer for Derr as she prepares to join the Missouri Valley team. She recently finished 15^th in the world at Little Britches Nationals and will also compete in the National High School finals and World Champion Junior Rodeo.

She’s no stranger to success as she was the 2024 Missouri High School Rodeo state champion goat tyer and earned the All-Around Cowgirl title. She was also named Rookie of the Year that season.

Derr took sixth in the world at Little Britches Nationals in breakaway roping in 2023 and was seventh at the National High School Rodeo in goat tying in 2024.

It is an exciting to end to a high school career and she hopes to turn this success into a memorable experience at the college level.

“I started rodeoing when I was six years old, and it’s truly shaped me into who I am today,” Derr said. “Rodeo teaches you lessons that other sports often don’t like determination, responsibility, and humility. It’s been a huge part of my life and continues to influence me in the best ways.”

Derr is looking forward to joining a successful Viking team that competed at the College National Finals Rodeo in Wyoming earlier this summer. She will compete in goat tying, breakaway roping and barrel racing and is excited for the next step.

“When I get to campus, my goal is to keep working hard, stay focused, and see where this journey takes me,” Derr said. “I’m looking forward to the new beginning, making the most of every moment, and continuing to grow as both a student and an athlete.”