GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — At just 15 years old, Moria Novakoski has already carved out a unique path in the world of bull riding. Her journey began only a year ago, but her determination and passion have already made her a standout figure in the sport.

“It’s made me become a better person, in my eyes,” Novakoski said. “Just being able to talk to people, doing stuff like this. I’ve been able to be somebody people look up to, little girls in the stands. It’s just really cool.”

Despite the risks involved, she doesn’t let fear hold her back.

“In World finals, I may have gotten stepped on and broke my leg,” Novakoski shared. “I never got it checked out or nothing, but I was limping around a little bit the next couple of weeks. I was out in Utah, so I never thought about it.”

Her mother, Jody, is fully supportive of her daughter’s ambitions.

“She knows I would do it if even if she wanted me to or not,” Novakoski said. “She knows the dream of mine, and she’ll help me accomplish it for sure.”

Moria’s love for adrenaline and respect for animals led her to bull riding. When she met family members who casually rode bulls, she gave it a try. From that moment, she was hooked.

Her mom took her to watch PBR events in Grand Rapids a few months later. This year, she’s competing in the same arena where she once watched from the stands.

Moria is part of PBR Next Gen, a program designed to mentor young bull riders and give them opportunities to compete on the PBR Velocity Tour. Turning a hobby into a passion has required daily workouts, long car rides for practices, and even extended flights.

But on Friday, she didn’t have to travel far.

Moria competed in her hometown at Van Andel Arena, where she was surrounded by about 50 friends and family.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing everybody,” she said. “It’s all these people I haven’t seen through the winter yet and I get to see all the amazing faces through it.”

The crowd included more than just family. Many little girls were cheering for her, exchanging bracelets after her ride and asking for autographs.

“I just wear these little, like, banded bracelets at all my rodeos… I’ll wear five to ten each ride,” Novakoski explained. “It just, it means a lot for the little girls that I’ll sign their autograph and then give them one of these and I’ll be like, ‘I just rode tonight in that.’ And they always think it’s really cool.”

Although she fell off before the eight-second goal mark, she didn’t let that discourage her.

“It’s been such a dream of mine,” she said. “Sitting in the stands of county fairs watching all the bull riding, I always told my mom I was going to do this one day and it’s been amazing to see that I can.”

Moria’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and the power of following your dreams. She may be young, but her impact is already significant.