Through joy and pain, Aggie wranglers can’t get enough of the ropes and reins
USU rodeo coach Jeffrey Hall said he spent a great deal of his time at livestock shows in the 1970s during what was known as the “cowboy craze.” He’d travel across the United States showing off cattle for awards and cash prizes. Once at a livestock venue, he said, he noticed a man displaying a bucking machine – a prototype machine simulating riding a bucking bull. Hall helped the man set up the machine, and, in return, the man allowed Hall ride the machine for free between events.
After watching Hall ride the machine clean several times the man looked at Hall and said, “You’ve ridden bulls before haven’t you?”
When Hall responded that he hadn’t, the man took him to his ranch, where he had three bulls, to give riding a try. Hall rode all three bulls without much struggle and began to consider the lifestyle of competitive rodeo.
Hall would go on to compete in multiple events over the next 19 years, including saddle bronco horse riding, bareback horse riding and bull riding. During that time, he won numerous awards and was even able to fund his way through college. Years later, rodeo is still an intricate part of his life.
“Rodeo is very addictive, you’re always looking for that next best ride. It’s definitely not easy to hang up,” said Hall, who has been serving as head coach of the Utah State rodeo club for 13 years.
“People are drawn a lot toward bull riding, but every event has that adrenaline rush,” said girl’s team captain Paige Morgan. “You back your horse into the box, and your horse is shaking, and everything just stops.”
The Aggie rodeo club recently finished their fall season, and will soon be making preparation for the spring season next semester. The club features a group of 26 competitors performing in timed roping, wrestling, and stock riding events. The non-scholarship club competes on a small budget, but don’t expect to hear any wranglers whining.
“You never know what you’ll get in rodeo,” Morgan said. “I think that’s what makes it so addicting. You never know what’s going to happen or what your horse is going to be like. You can’t predict anything. You get this addiction to find the perfect run.”
Morgan’s said it takes more than just the adrenaline rush to compete in rodeos. She is a full-time student at Utah State, and said between classes she’ll let her horse out in the pasture to romp around while she’s in school. After classes get out – and she isn’t swamped with homework – she’ll head back to the pasture and ride the horse for around an hour, then she’ll rope a dummy on her horse for another hour. When she’s finished practicing, she cleans out the horse’s stall, feeds him and heads back to studies, ready to do it again at least a few times a week. At least once a week she’ll practice with a partner, and said she squeezes in additional practice time any chance she gets.
“It’s just like anything in life, the more you practice the better you get,” she said. “We’re always roping. I know guys on the team who get out and rope everyday. You don’t want to risk losing it.”
Garrett Thurston, a USU junior, said over time the hard work and dedication usually pays off.
“It’s a natural high,” he said. “Once you win your first check or saddle you get addicted to it. I’ve won two horse trailers, and both times were way fun. When you put the time and effort into it, it comes back at you.”
Along with the rush, prized saddles, and numerous experiences that come with riding, Hall said the biggest priority for the club is education. Among other four-year college rodeo teams nationwide, USU ranked near the top in overall GPA as a team, something Hall said he is very proud of.
“The kids know education is number one here, and rodeo is something on the side,” said Hall, who himself has two doctorate degrees and works with USU as an associate agriculture professor and head professor of toxicology. “When most people think of rodeo they think of no-brain rednecks. I’m a double doctorate professor who rides bulls, working with top-caliber educated students. More than anything I’m proud of them for that.”
Overall, the club is very excited for the spring season. The club will compete for the first time in the spring during the first weekend of March at Weber State. The club also competes in Logan, Southern Idaho and other venues. Morgan said she is excited for a great upcoming season.
“We’re going to kick butt,” she said. “We expect a lot of people going to nationals – possibly the whole men’s team. The potential is definitely there.”
Hall said he expects a great performance from both men’s and women’s teams. Apart from Thurston and Morgan, Hall said to expect to see great performances from Thurston’s team-roping partner Trevor Merrill, as well as Colton Packer and freshman Jace Austina along with others who have the potential to place in their events.
On the women’s side, Hall said to watch for Lacey Larson in breakaway roping along with Kate Cliffold and Michelle Hatch.
Thurston said USU students should support the club come spring.
“You’ll definitely be missing out,” Thurston said. “There’s going to be a lot of potential and a lot of cool people to get out and see. Come on out.”
Hall said students who come out to support the USU rodeo club are sure to take in an experience unlike anything they’ve ever seen.
“This is like no other sport you’ll ever experience. A lot of these kids can hang with any of the pros. It’s a rush.”
– steve.schwartzman@aggiemail.usu.edu