Rodeo Life

Category: Team Cavender’s

  • Ride Aggressive ~The Fierce Resolve of Ty LaVergne

    Ride Aggressive ~The Fierce Resolve of Ty LaVergne

    There’s something steady, not loud and not showy, about Ty LaVergne, just tough minded in a way that doesn’t need announcing. As a Cavender’s team member, he carries that same quiet steadiness with him, the kind that shows up in how he rides and how he represents the people standing with him.

    When I asked him how he would describe himself, he didn’t reach for anything dramatic. “I would describe myself as a confident person, and I know what I am capable of. I am also the one people go to when they need help. Like, say a guy behind the chutes needs a hand, I tend to be the one to help.” That tells you more than a buckle ever could.

    Bull riding doesn’t reward ego for long. It rewards presence, discipline, and the willingness to show up again, especially after you’ve been humbled. Ty knew early this would be his event. “I first realized bull riding was going to be my event when I was young. Probably around 6 years old, I would beg and beg my dad to let me start riding bulls, and he finally gave in, and now here I am today.”

    He didn’t stumble into bull riding. He chased it. “I think the main thing that hooked me to bull riding was the adrenaline rush and the feeling of hearing the buzzer go off, knowing that you rode the bull. It is the greatest feeling you can feel, and words can’t even describe it.”

    Most people stop at adrenaline, but adrenaline doesn’t keep you here. The mind does. “I think bull riding is more mental. This is because someone can be in the best shape possible and still fall off of bulls constantly. If your mind isn’t where it’s supposed to be, then you normally won’t ride very well.”

    When the chute gate opens, there isn’t chaos in his head. “Surprisingly, not a lot goes through my mind when the chute gate opens. The main thing that I tell myself is I’m about to strap this bull. Another way is just having confidence to set yourself up for success and not failure.” That kind of clarity is built over time, and his dad has been central to that foundation. “My dad has taught me about everything I know about bull riding, but the thing that sticks with me the most is riding aggressively. If you don’t ride aggressively, then the outcome isn’t going to be great all the time because it’s a battle between you and the bull every second until you step off of him.” It’s not recklessness or chaos, it’s resolve.

    Freshman year, Ty missed qualifying for nationals by eleven points, close enough to taste it and far enough to sting. “I would say winning High School Nationals is my favorite win because back in my freshman year of high school, I got humbled at the state finals by missing nationals by 11 points. This lit a fire underneath me and drove me to get better and make it to nationals the next year. I ended up winning it, and I felt a sense of relief because I had been looking forward to just making it to nationals, and I tried my heart out and ended up pulling off a win.” Relief is the word he chose, not spotlight or pride, but the kind of relief that comes from answering disappointment with discipline.

    “Bull riding has taught me so much about discipline because it has taught me that if you don’t get on practice bulls, then you won’t get much better because you aren’t fixing what you need to fix and working on your fundamentals. This will start showing at rodeos, getting on bulls is the best way to get better.” Humility, for him, looks like owning the ride, even when it did not go his way, “It has taught me a lot about humility because you don’t always win, and you have to take the losses and learn from them and keep that drive to win.”

    Along the way, Ty has also earned a place as a Cavender’s team member, and he does not talk about that like a logo, he talks about it like a responsibility. He knows he is representing more than himself when he puts his hand in the rope.

    Before every ride, he prays. “I pray before every ride. It brings me peace and lets me know God is protecting me. If it’s his will, it will work out.” In a sport where nothing is guaranteed, not the draw, not the score, not the landing, peace matters. “Everything I have accomplished was because of him.” That perspective carries beyond the arena. “They treat me like family, and I’m grateful to represent them. I’m not just representing a company. I’m representing a family.” The way he describes Cavender’s is the same way he describes the people who shaped him, with gratitude and a sense of loyalty that runs deeper than business.

    When I asked what he hoped people would see when they watched him ride, his answer was simple. “I hope they see that I’m humble and grateful because there are so many kids who wish they were in my position.” And when he talks about the future, he doesn’t just talk about winning, he talks about providing for a family one day.

    The aggression his dad talks about, the kind required for eight seconds on a bull, isn’t reckless. Instead, it’s fierce resolve: full commitment, learning, adjusting, and going again. While bull riding may last only eight seconds, the person it shapes you into lasts much longer.

    Ty’s Accolades/Courtesy of Cavender’s Team:

    2023 LJHSRA State Bull Riding Champion

    2023 NLBRA World Bull Riding Champion

    2025 LHSRA State Bull Riding Champion

    2025 NHSRA Bull Riding World Champion

    2025 Cinch WCJR Junior Bull Riding World Champion

  • Audrey Bridges ~ Steady Hands, Sure Confidence

    Audrey Bridges ~ Steady Hands, Sure Confidence

    Photos by Primo Morales Photography

    At sixteen, Audrey moves with a composure often reserved for seasoned riders. She did not rush there. She has learned to tune into her horse, to the voices that matter, and to the quiet insights competition reveals when no one is looking. As a committed member of the Cavender’s team, she recognizes that what you bring to the arena weighs as much as what you do inside it.
    Though Audrey lives in Oklahoma today, she grew up in Texas, and horses have been part of her life from the beginning. By age seven or eight, she was already showing cow horses at local cowboy competitions. One particular run stands out, not for a trophy, but for the clarity it provided.
    This is it, she remembers thinking. This is what I love.
    Today, Audrey competes in reined cow horse, reining, and barrel racing ~disciplines requiring feel, timing, and composure. However, when asked about her greatest challenge, she does not mention the run itself.
    “It’s the waiting,” she says. “Sitting back there, listening to scores, counting riders. That’s the hardest part.”
    Before she goes in, Audrey leans on routine. Music, especially Christian music, helps her settle her mind and refocus on what matters.
    “It grounds me,” she explains. “It reminds me why I’m there.”
    It’s not only the rhythm, but it’s also the truth in the words. It refocuses her spirit and brings her back to center. That grounding shapes her view of confidence ~it is humility and preparation. “You have to stay humble,” she says. “People remember how you treat them, not just how you place.”
    Audrey’s horse, Shiny Little Rey “Rey-Rey”, is a seasoned quarter horse with cutting and reining bloodlines, never needing micromanagement. “He’s taught me to leave him alone,” she says. “He knows his job. I’m there to guide him, not control him.”
    Audrey is more hands-on than people expect, often doing her own tuning and small adjustments, a skill she has developed over time, through practice and good instruction. “I can feel when something’s off,” she explains. “A shoulder leaning. A balance shift. Even if someone watching can’t see it.”
    It is an intuitive skill. She considers it a blessing, and she has learned to trust it.
    That trust extends to how she handles setbacks. She recalls a competition where a difficult cow kept her from a top finish. Though disappointed, what stayed with her was the encouragement of an older competitor, who reminded her that one run does not define a rider. “That meant more than winning,” Audrey says.
    When frustration rises, Audrey resets the same way each time ~by riding. “I’ll just saddle up and walk him,” she says. “The arena, the pasture, anywhere. My mindset fixes itself pretty fast.”
    Her achievements reflect her steady approach. Rather than seeking the spotlight, she has built a record of quiet excellence and reliability.
    She earned the title of 2022 Reined Cow Horse World Champion, followed by a third-place finish in the World Youth Cow Horse standings in 2023. That same year, she claimed the UPRA Junior Barrel Racing Championship. In 2024, she placed third in Reined Cow Horse and went on to win the Wild Rag Classic Reined Cow Horse Circuit Championship. Her momentum continued in 2025 with a first-place finish at the Wild Rag Classic Reined Cow Horse, along with the title of SRCHA Youth Bridle Champion.
    Audrey carries the Cavender’s name with intention. It means showing up as part of a team: how you treat people, handle pressure, and respond after a win. “It’s not just a sponsorship,” she says. “You’re part of a family, and you represent that everywhere you go.”
    Criticism, when it comes, is filtered carefully. If it is untrue, she lets it pass. If it is worth learning from, she considers it. She does not let it define her. “There will always be people cheering for you,” she says. “And people against you. Sometimes, just because you won.”
    Amid these experiences, another transition emerges. What matters most to Audrey is the reputation she is building. “When someone mentions my name,” she says, “I want them to say I’m kind, that I work hard, and that I treat everyone the same.”
    For Audrey, responsibility means daily discipline. She chooses a strong mindset and a positive attitude, displaying quiet maturity that needs no announcement. Just as she rides by feel, she lives with purpose: attentive, grounded, and undistracted.
    For a sixteen-year-old with steady hands, sure confidence, and a deep respect for her horse, the future is not rushed. It is steady.
    And that may be her greatest strength of all.

    Audrey’s Accolades

     
    2022 Reined Cow Horse World Champion
     
    2023 3rd in the World Youth Cow Horse
     
    2023 UPRA Junior Barrel Racing Champion
     
    2024 Reined Cow Horse: 3rd Place
     
    2024 Wild Rag Classic Reined Cow Horse: Circuit Champion
     
    2025 Wild Rag Classic Reined Cow Horse: 1st Place
     
    2025 SRCHA Youth Bridle Champion
  • The Cost of Doing It Right

    The Cost of Doing It Right

    by Lori Bizzell | Photos Courtesy of Cavender’s & Trevor Bentley

    There is a kind of strength you cannot time.

    There are some young men who rope with talent, and there are some who rope with a deeper kind of strength, the kind you cannot fake. Trevor Bentley is one of those. The more I listened to him, the more I kept coming back to this simple truth: his gifts show up in the arena, but his character shows up everywhere.

    It is also why Team Cavender’s fits him. Cavender’s is known for quality Western wear, but the Team Cavender’s program is about more than a logo. It is about investing in the next generation with leadership, character, and the kind of work ethic that keeps rodeo strong.

    Long before rodeo became the center of his world, Trevor had another dream that ran just as hot. Baseball was his first love, and it was no passing interest. It was a real pursuit, tied to family history and real opportunity. His dad had offers to go pro, his grandfather played in the minors, and you could tell that competitive fire and that respect for the spotlight was in his blood. But somewhere along the line, rodeo did not just replace baseball. It became the thing he was willing to give his whole heart to. He said it plainly: when he is into something, he goes all in. That kind of single-minded dedication is rare, and it is one of the first places you can see perseverance starting to form.

    And yet, dedication does not always get recognized the way it should. Trevor has felt that.

    People see a win and assume it was luck, like it was handed to him, or he just happened to be the lucky one. He admitted it used to get to him. “But when I started taking this sport seriously, I learned that it is not the case anymore. All of the blood, sweat, and tears put into this sport are no joke. Between the thousands of hours in the practice pen and the 20-hour drive to Vegas, you learn very quickly that it takes a lot of work to go anywhere in rodeo.”

    That is honest, and I respect that kind of self-awareness in a young man. But what I admire most is what he did with that pressure. Instead of letting it harden him, he let it refine him. He learned early that there is a difference between being seen and being built. Around twelve years old, after winning the Patriot, he realized people were not seeing the qualifiers, the practice, the timing, and the planning that went into that moment. They were only seeing the outcome. So, he decided to keep his head down and keep working, to be patient, faithful, and endure.

    That same steadiness shows up in how he talks about advice and in the kind of voice he allows to shape him.

    The best advice Trevor has ever received came from his mom: “Listen more, talk less.” That one sentence carries a lot of wisdom. It takes humility to listen. It takes discipline to be teachable. It takes self-control to stay quiet long enough to actually learn. Trevor has taken that to heart, especially in a sport where growth depends on openness to correction and a willingness to adjust. And because he is learning discernment, he has also learned what not to listen to. He remembers the worst advice too, the kind that sounds strong but is actually pride dressed up as confidence: “We do not need to listen to anybody, we will figure it out.” Trevor knows better. He values an outside opinion. He understands that talking through a run matters. He is not trying to prove he is above learning. He is trying to become the kind of man who never stops growing.

    You can also see his maturity in the way he handles disappointment.

    When things go wrong at a rodeo, Trevor does not stay stuck. He resets. His first instinct is prayer, and that tells you where his peace comes from. Then he calls a friend, and I love that about him, because it shows he is grounded enough to lean on the right people. He said they never fail to make him laugh, and that laughter clears his head. That is knowing how to return to the center rather than spiral. A young man who does not need to perform for the world, because he is secure enough to be real.

    And while Trevor’s mindset is strong, he is just as serious about the skill.

    When he looks back at his roping from even two years ago, he sees a major difference in his hand-eye coordination and his ability to manipulate the rope. He has learned through experience that roping is not magic. It is repetition. It is time. It wants it badly enough to show up for the hours nobody sees. He said plainly, “There are no shortcuts.” That is not just a rodeo principle. That is a life principle. It reveals diligence and long-suffering, the willingness to stay with the process until it produces something real.

    What stood out to me even more is the part of his work that most people do not notice: his horsemanship.

    Trevor knows you cannot rope well if you are not riding correctly. He respects the horse and the partnership, and he understands the level of skill it takes to make your horse do what you need while you are roping at speed. He called it an art, and he meant it. That is a kind of quiet excellence. It is faithfulness in the hidden places. It is stewardship. It is doing the unglamorous work because it matters, not because it gets applause.

    That same inner steadiness is what shows up when the pressure rises.

    Trevor has learned how to handle the moment when the run has to count. He does not deny the nerves. He uses them. He treats it like an opportunity. When he feels that wave come over him, he turns it into intensity and confidence, not reckless, but focused. He understands that rodeo has a big mental side, and he has learned how to manage it. He said he thrives under pressure. That is self-control. That is clarity when everything in you could want to rush.

    Of course, pressure does not only come in the box. Sometimes it comes through pain.

    One of the hardest seasons Trevor walked through was the end of eighth grade, heading into his freshman year, when he tore his ACL at the TYRA finals. His horse was ducking off a little in the tie down, and Trevor told himself it would be fine, like the other times when he tried to cut a corner. But this time it cost him. That injury took away his freshman year of rodeo, and that kind of setback could have made him bitter. Instead, he came back stronger for his sophomore year. It made him wiser. He learned not to take shortcuts, not in the arena and not in life. Learning to make sure everything is right. He understands there is a balance between competing to win and roping the way it ought to be roped. Some situations call for smooth fundamentals, clean and steady. Other situations require him to apply pressure, to push the pace while still staying anchored in what is right. He has learned that too much speed can become a trap, especially in calf roping, and he lives by a saying that holds more truth than people realize: slow is fast.

    That truth has also shaped him outside the arena, especially in his discipline.

    Trevor learned the value of money early. Around the age of 12, he started paying his own entry fees. As he got older, he has taken on more, including the feed and the real costs of living this life. That is not just responsibility, it is stewardship. It is learning to value a dollar, to respect what it takes to sustain a dream, and to carry yourself with maturity rather than entitlement.

    But beyond the work ethic and the skill, what moved me most is the kind of man Trevor is becoming.

    He said it simply: a hardworking, God-fearing man. God first. And you can tell his mom has been a powerful shaping force in that vision. He looks to her as his example of character because even when she is tough, she does the right thing. As opportunities and recognition come, Trevor works to stay grounded. He remembers where he started. It was not long ago that he was slick horning his first steer. He keeps perspective through prayer. He keeps his heart in the right place by remembering that every person starts somewhere, and none of us is as above it as we can be tempted to think.

    Trevor’s faith is not something he pulls out only on big days. It shows up in the way he competes, the way he thinks, the way he defines success. He believes it is all in God’s plan. He goes out and does his job to the best of his ability, and he leaves the outcome in God’s hands. He is learning focus. He is learning not to get greedy. He is learning how to surrender the results while still showing up.

    To Trevor, success through a faith lens looks like this: not falling apart when things do not go right, because God is still God. That kind of perspective does not happen overnight. It takes trust. It takes repeated surrender. It takes a steady return to prayer when things feel heavy or uncertain. He told me, when it is hard, he prays and says, “I am going to go do my job to the best of my ability, and it is in Your hands from there.”

    He is not letting rankings or results define him. He said it plainly: it is just money, it is just roping, nothing surpasses the Lord our God. And I love that he is honest about the practical pieces that help him stay there, too, like friends who can make him laugh and remind him who he is when the world tries to shrink him down to a scoreboard. If a younger kid were watching Trevor and asked what matters most, his answer would be simple and strong: have faith in God and do your best. Be happy you are there doing it. One rodeo does not define you. This understanding takes the weight off a young person’s shoulders and puts it back where it belongs.

    I asked Trevor what he hoped others would remember about the kind of presence he carried, and he told me, “I hope they remember how fun I was. I like to have fun when it is time to have fun, but I am very serious when it is time for that too. That is how I am at rodeos. I work hard, and I am nice to others.” That right there is the kind of legacy that lasts, not just because of what he won, but because of how he lived.

    Right now, outside of rodeo, God is teaching Trevor something that will protect him for the rest of his life: to trust His plan, and to let things roll off his back like water off a duck. A young man learning how to stay steady, keep his eyes forward, and live from a place deeper than the moment.

    He is becoming the kind of man you can trust. Because talent is common. But a young man with discipline, humility, joy, integrity, and real faith is rare. By investing in young leaders like Trevor, Team Cavender’s helps build the future of rodeo the right way, because when a brand chooses to stand behind character, it strengthens more than a career. It strengthens a culture.

  • Bentli Taylor: Learning to Win Without Losing What Matters

    Bentli Taylor: Learning to Win Without Losing What Matters

    By Lori Bizzell
    Photos Courtesy of Bentli Taylor

    I had a chance to connect with Bentli, and what stood out to me first wasn’t an impressive list of titles; it was her heart. She’s learning how to win without losing what matters, and that kind of growth is worth paying attention to.

    Team Cavender’s athlete Bentli Taylor understands that growth in rodeo often requires difficult choices. “As you get older, rodeo competition gets tougher, and you have to become more focused. Sometimes that means making choices,” she says. Once a competitive gymnast and cheerleader, Bentli reached a point where she knew she couldn’t give her best to everything at once. “I decided that I could not be successful at everything. I decided  to dedicate my time to rodeo and plan to compete in College Rodeos.”

    That decision opened the door to steady progress. Bentli moved from junior high and high school state short go rounds into national-level competition, qualifying for both the National Junior High Rodeo and the National High School Rodeo while continuing to compete across multiple events.

    For Bentli, growth hasn’t come from a single source. It has come through experience ~through horses, pressure, people, and faith…..each shaping her along the way.

    Pole bending is where Bentli feels most at home. “The pole horses fit my personality. Every pole horse that I have ridden loves the event just as much as I do.” She knows quickly whether a horse belongs there. “I can tell when I get on a horse if they are a pole horse or not by the way they walk down the alleyway.”

    Her journey has been shaped by special horses, Rodeo and Colonel, and now by Queen. “They all have known their job and gave me 100 percent every run.” What draws her in is the intensity. “To me, there is a thrill weaving through the poles at a high rate of speed.”

    That partnership has carried her onto major stages, including the WCRA Cinch World Championship junior rounds and a Top 10 finish at the International Finals Youth Rodeo, as well as multiple championships and a reserve state title. 

    Bentli’s approach in competition is deliberate. “I try not to think about what other people do and just focus on making my run.” Afterward, she evaluates honestly. “After my run, I celebrate a good run or think about corrections I need to make before the next run.”

    When something feels off, she goes to work. “I try to figure out what went wrong. Sometimes I need to make a bit of a change or tune in the practice pen.” Then she resets. “I try to let it go and think about the next run.”

    Competing in multiple events has taught her resilience. “I have always competed in more than one event, so I cannot worry about one bad run. I have to get on the next horse and get my mind right for the next event.” Staying calm is intentional. “I focus on the run in front of me. I must stay calm because my horse feeds off my energy.”

    Loss has been one of rodeo’s hardest lessons. “Heartbreak. Your horses become members of the family, and when you lose one, it is like losing a family member or a best friend.” Much of that reality is unseen. “People do not see the hours of practice spent in the arena.”

    Bentli faced that heartbreak at the National High School Finals Rodeo when her pole horse died. Seeded for the WCJR semi-finals the following week with nothing to ride, she relied on the kindness of others. “A nice family let me borrow a horse to get through the week.” Despite the weight of grief, she finished the job. “With all my emotions, I just wanted to go home. I pushed through and finished what my horse had started for me.”

    Her priorities are clear. “My horses are part of my joy for the sport. No matter how much I want to win, I am going to put them first and make sure they are taken care of.”

    Today, she rides a team she’s proud of. “I am extremely proud of my team of horses ~ Chief, Forrest, Queen, and Viper.” Chief brings speed. Forrest brings consistency. Queen is a fireball, and Viper is quick across the line.

    Now in her third year with Team Cavender’s, Bentli embraces what representation means. “It’s a leadership role. I represent Team Cavender’s. I am proud and thankful for that, and I take my role seriously.” That responsibility fuels her drive. “It makes me strive to be better because I not only want to win for myself, I want to win for my team and the Cavender’s name.”

    The team has shaped her beyond competition. “They have taught me at team summits every year how to build my image through social media.” Their presence matters. “The Cavender’s Team supports me at large events such as the National High School Finals and IFYR.”

    Bentli values the culture. “It is the best team to be part of. Not only is it a great family environment, but they also support you all year round.” The annual summits motivate her. “It is great motivation when you meet professional athletes who speak at the meetings. They try to prepare you in every aspect to get you ready for your future in rodeo.”

    Those lessons are shaping her character. “It has taught me how to be a more well-rounded person and a good teammate. They teach us how to be good role models.” She carries that responsibility daily. “I know that my actions are a reflection of the team, and I just try to be a good person and demonstrate good sportsmanship in and out of the arena.”

    When asked what she hopes to represent, Bentli answers simply. “To be a good person and a Christian. To never give up your dreams.” She adds, “I try to keep a positive attitude and drive to keep going no matter the outcome.” Looking ahead, she sees preparation. “It will help prepare me for bigger opportunities in my future.”

    Her foundation is steady. “My family has supported me through highs and lows.” “My faith keeps me grounded.” When things are uncertain, she trusts God. “I know that God has a plan. I may not always see it when things are rough, but I always know He is in control.” She releases the outcome. “I pray about it and leave it in God’s hands.” One verse she leans on is Proverbs 16:9: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

    What Bentli hopes people see goes beyond results. “I would want them to see my love for the sport and that I always put my horses first. There are days I make mistakes, but I always come back stronger.” And her encouragement to others is heartfelt. “Enjoy the little things ~not just the wins. Enjoy the time you spend with your horses. Each horse teaches you something along the way. Appreciate the genuinely good people you meet on this journey. Keep going. You will be amazed at what you accomplish.”

    Her hope for the future is simple. “That I was a good horseman, and I took good care of my animals. I hope they remember how much I loved and appreciated each horse.”

    Keep your eye on Bentli! We’re proud to spotlight the growth happening in her life, on the dirt and off it. The wins will come, but what’s even more meaningful is the kind of horseman, teammate, and young woman she’s becoming ~and Team Cavender’s has a young athlete worth rooting for.

  • Team Cavender’s Rylie Eden

    Team Cavender’s Rylie Eden

    When Rylie Eden walks into an arena, she brings the same confidence she shows on the volleyball court or the basketball court back home in Hillsboro, Texas. The high school senior balances nearly every sport her small public school offers while competing at an elite level in the breakaway roping and pole bending.

    Eden, who joined Team Cavender’s three years ago, was nominated by longtime friend and fellow competitor Tana Trosper.

    “Every year when the seniors on the team graduate, they nominate somebody else to be on it,” Eden said. “Tana nominated me in my sophomore year.”

    Since then, Eden has embraced both the responsibility and the opportunity that come with representing one of the Western industry’s most recognized names.

    “Team Cavender’s has helped me in so many ways,” she said. “They have this summit every year where different rodeo athletes and sponsors come talk to us, not just about rodeo but about being a better person.”

    That annual Team Cavender’s Summit has made a lasting impression on nearly every team member, and Eden is no exception. She calls the experience one of her favorite parts of being on the team.

    “You’re there for three days with your teammates just getting to know each other,” she said. “My first year, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought it’d be like a class, but my favorite memory is always the volleyball games we play at the Sonic across the street every year.”

    Off the road, Eden’s life is equally busy. She attends the public school where her mother serves as principal and participates in volleyball, basketball, track, cross-country and softball.

    “Most schools probably wouldn’t let me get away with all my absences,” she said with a laugh. “But my mom and our school have been really supportive. They even created a rodeo team, so my absences count as school events and don’t go against me.”

    Rodeo runs deep in her family. Her mother qualified for the United Professional Rodeo Association Finals in both the breakaway roping and barrel racing, and her father competed in the tie-down roping.

    “My mom ran barrels when she was pregnant with me,” Eden said. “I’ve been around rodeo since before I was born.”

    By junior high, Eden said she was hooked. She qualified for state and national competitions in the breakaway roping, and began to realize her talent could take her far.

    “That’s when I kind of singled out breakaway as what I wanted to focus on most,” she said.

    “In barrels, you’ve got to have a really nice horse to win, but in breakaway, even if you’re not riding the nicest horse, you can make it up with your rope.”

    Her proudest moment so far came at the Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City when she was just 12 years old. “I made the gold medal round, and I was the only kid under 16 or 17 to rope there,” she said. “Even though I didn’t finish how I wanted, it was an amazing experience. The stands were packed, and I’ll never forget it.”

    Now in her senior year, Eden said she is looking ahead to life beyond high school.

    “I definitely want to pro rodeo and try to make the finals and hopefully win the finals someday,” she said. She plans to attend college online so she can continue competing full-time while representing her future school.

    Eden credits several professional cowgirls as role models, especially Martha Angelone and Hali Williams. “Martha sets the bar high,” she said. “She came from nothing and won the world doing it all on her own. That makes me want to work hard so it’s just me and my horses against the world.”

    When asked what advice she would give to younger rodeo kids hoping to join Team Cavender’s, Eden didn’t hesitate.

    “Think of them more like a family,” she said. “If you ever need anything, you can call anyone on the team and they’ll be there. They really make you feel like family in and out of the arena.”

    Photo Courtesy of Rylie Eden

    She added a final reminder that reflects her grounded perspective. “Always thank the people who help you,” she said. “One day they might not be there and you’ll realize how much they did for you.” •

  • Team Cavender’s: Jacee Williams

    Team Cavender’s: Jacee Williams

    For senior cowgirl Jacee Williams, Team Cavender’s feels a lot like home. The Coweta High School student joined the team as a sophomore after watching her older brother, Kade, serve on the original roster. She said the family atmosphere drew her in from the start.

    “My brother was actually on the first Team Cavender’s,” Williams said. “I went with him to one of the summits and met Jennifer [Green], who was super sweet. I liked how everything felt close-knit and like family. When I got to high school, I applied and got accepted.”

    Now in her senior year, Williams said the experience has helped her grow beyond the arena. Her favorite part has been the Cavender’s Summit held each August.

    “I use those three days as personal growth days,” she said. “They bring in leaders from rodeo who share lessons about life and leadership. It’s helped me with interviews and confidence.”

    Williams said the summits taught her how to communicate under pressure. “When I first joined, I didn’t know what to say in interviews,” she said. “Now I’ve learned how to talk with people and represent myself well. It’s made a big difference.”

    Rodeo has always been part of her life. Her father was a calf roper, her mother a goat tier and breakaway roper, and her grandparents spent decades raising cattle and training horses.

    “I’ve always been around rodeo, but in the last 10 years I’ve gotten more competitive,” she said.

    Williams competes in breakaway roping, an event she said highlights both the athlete and the horse. “I tried barrels, poles and goats, but breakaway stood out,” she said. “It takes timing and trust with your horse.”

    Her most significant influence is her mother, Janna. “My mom has always been my coach and my cheerleader,” Williams said. “She’s the one who got me into breakaway, and she pushes me to get better every day.”

    Alongside rodeo, Williams plays volleyball and runs track for Coweta High School. She said managing it all takes strong time management and focus.

    “It’s hard if you don’t stay organized,” she said. “I’m taking college classes, so I rope in the mornings before school. During volleyball season, it gets busy, but I make it work.”

    Williams plans to attend Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, where she hopes to major in elementary education with a minor in psychology. She said college rodeo is her next goal, followed by competing professionally.

    “I had some college volleyball offers, but roping is what I want to focus on,” she said. “After a couple of years in school, I want to hit the pro rodeo trail.”

    Her main horse, a veteran gelding, will retire soon. She’s training a young mare named Jenny to take over next spring, with another two-year-old in the works. “My grandpa starts all our colts,” she said. “It’s special to ride horses our family raised.”

    Williams still ropes with her brother when he’s home from college. “He comes home in the summer, and we jackpot and go to some local rodeos,” she said. “It’s something we’ve always done together.”

    Her dream is to compete in Cheyenne, Wyoming, a rodeo that’s long been on her bucket list. “It’d be amazing to rope there one day,” she said.

    For girls who hope to follow in her footsteps, Williams offers simple advice.

    “Be yourself,” she said. “People can tell when you’re genuine, and that’s what will get you far.”

  • Team Cavender’s: Tana Trosper

    Team Cavender’s: Tana Trosper

    When Tana Trosper talks about her rodeo life, it’s easy to hear the energy and gratitude in her voice. The 18-year-old barrel racer from Texas said she has spent nearly her entire life in the arena, following in the footsteps of her parents while carving her own path as a member of Team Cavender’s.

    “I had a pony before I could even walk,” Trosper said. “My parents bought me one for my first birthday, and my dad would lead-line me around while I held on to the saddle horn. That’s really where it all started.”

    From those early days, rodeo quickly became central to her life. She said she began entering at local play-days, eventually moving into youth rodeo associations like Winnsboro Youth Rodeo Association (WYRA) and Little Britches, before stepping up to Texas High School Rodeo Association events. Barrel racing became her primary focus, though she also competes in pole bending.

    Photo Courtesy of Team Cavender’s

     

    Her family’s rodeo roots run deep. Trosper’s father, Jason, once team roped as a heeler. Her mother, Melinda, grew up competing in barrels and poles in eastern Oklahoma and was crowned Miss Rodeo Oklahoma in 1994. That second-generation influence provided Trosper and her sister, Jada, with a strong foundation.

    It was a family friend, world champion tie-down roper Riley Webb, who Trosper said first encouraged the sisters to join Team Cavender’s.

    “Riley was like, ‘Y’all need to apply. They’re a great company to represent, very family-oriented,” Trosper said. “So my sister and I both applied, and we were so excited when we got it. Team Cavender’s has been amazing to us.”

    Summit Camp, the annual Team Cavender’s gathering, has been her favorite experience so far. But for Trosper, the lessons she learned extend beyond the arena.

    “I definitely believe that connections are more significant than I realized,” she said. “The people you meet and the relationships you build matter just as much as what you accomplish in competition.”

    Today, Trosper campaigns two horses: Shiny Cartel – or “Shiner,” a tall mare with both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred bloodlines – and Joker, her steady pole horse. Shiner’s racetrack background means she can be high-spirited, but Trosper calls her “a blessing” and a powerful athlete. Joker, though older, still plays like a colt.

    “He’s my trouble child,” she said, smiling. “But you’d never know he’s 20 or 21.”

    While barrel racing is her passion, Trosper has not ruled out roping. She began practicing during the COVID-19 pandemic with Webb and other friends, but never found the right horse to compete on. “It wasn’t that I didn’t like roping — I just didn’t have the right mount to keep going,” she said.

    Outside of rodeo, Trosper lives a busy life as a senior in public school. She has spent four years on her school’s bass fishing team, pairing with a classmate to compete in statewide tournaments. What started as a self-taught hobby in middle school grew into another competitive outlet.

    “I learned how to fish by watching YouTube videos in eighth grade,” she said. “Then my best friend and I joined the team once we got to high school, and it’s been such a fun experience.”

    She also hunts and fishes recreationally, and works odd jobs for local farmers to save money for college. That’s because she has another passion outside of the arena: aviation.

    “I’m going to apply to flight school,” Trosper said. “Within four years, I hope to have my commercial license. Then I plan on trying to pro rodeo after that.”

    She said she is considering programs close to home, though Oklahoma State University (OSU) is also on her list. Her sister, Jada, who is two years older, is currently on the rodeo team at OSU.

    Trosper’s long-term dream is to balance both aviation and rodeo, but she doesn’t underestimate the challenge. Still, the mentors she admires in the sport, like professional barrel racers Lisa Lockhart and Emily Beisel, remind her that humility and persistence go a long way.

    “They’re both so humble, and I love the way they compose themselves,” she said. “That’s the kind of presence I want to have in rodeo.”

  • Team Cavender’s: Colee Cox

    Team Cavender’s: Colee Cox

    For Colee Cox, rodeo runs in her veins. The high school senior, breakaway roper and goat tyer has carved her path into the arena as she looks ahead to the professional ranks.

     

    Cox, 18, joined Team Cavender’s in 2023 with the help of fellow competitor and friend Sage Galliard. The sponsorship program, considered one of the premier youth rodeo teams in the country, has given her more than just backing in the arena. 

     

    “Team Cavender’s is one of the most prestigious youth teams out there right now, and they’ve taught me everything from social media to resumes and job applications,” Cox said. “They’ve brought in pro athletes and industry professionals to guide us, and I’m truly honored to be part of it.”

     

    Photo by Jennings Photography

    Her favorite memories come from the team’s annual summit, a gathering where members train, learn and bond. This year, as a senior, Cox designed and customized a pair of boots — a standout moment in what she calls one of her most meaningful experiences. 

     

    But what she values most from the program may surprise some.

     

    “Definitely the social media aspect,” Cox said. “Before Team Cavender’s, I was terrible at it. They showed me how to be professional online, and since social media is one of the biggest things in our industry, it’s been huge for me.”

     

    Unlike many competitors, Cox did not grow up in a rodeo family. Her father, Chad, was a drag racer who showed horses, while her mother, Holly, played nearly every sport from volleyball to basketball. Cox said she showed horses and played youth sports before discovering her true passion almost by accident.

     

    Photo by Jennings Photography

    “I took my show horse to a local rodeo one day and won it,” she recalled. “I told my dad, ‘I have the need for speed,’ and I’ve never looked back. Rodeo has become my life.”

     

    With the help of mentors such as roper Chad Detweiler and goat-tying coach Kassidy Eakin, Cox developed into a well-rounded competitor. Friendships with professional cowgirls also gave her valuable insight into the rodeo lifestyle.

     

    Her parents, despite not having a rodeo background, quickly became her biggest supporters.

    “My parents haul me up and down the road every weekend,” Cox said. “If I say I want to enter, they’ve got me entered. I couldn’t ask for a better set of parents.”

     

    Photo Courtesy of Colee Cox

    A homeschool student, Cox has built her schedule around both academics and competition. She also competes on the Childress High School golf team, thanks to a Texas law allowing homeschoolers to participate in University Interscholastic League sports, and she shows pigs through 4-H.

     

    After graduation, Cox plans to attend college, where she said she hopes to balance academics with professional rodeo. Long-term, she has her sights set high.

     

    “I want to make the NFBR one day, and I’d love to be an all-around champion at the College National Finals Rodeo,” she said. “One of my biggest goals is to rope at Calgary when I get my pro card.”

     

    Cox’s string of horses reflects years of dedication. Her go-to breakaway mount, Rouge, has carried her on some of the biggest stages. Fly, a sorrel gelding, is equipped for fast setups, while Tag, a buckskin, recently helped her win the Texas Cowboy Reunion. Ruby, her only mare, handles goat tying with the same grit she once used in steer wrestling.

     

    Together, the lineup has helped Cox secure a growing list of titles, including back-to-back junior world finals championships in breakaway roping (2022 and 2023) and the 2023 Texas High School Rodeo Association Rookie of the Year award.

     

    Her time competing in Las Vegas has given her a taste of what lies ahead.

     

    “Vegas is such a different atmosphere,” Cox said. “Getting that experience now makes it easier to handle the nerves when we get to the pro level.”

     

    Photo Courtesy of Team Cavender’s

    For Cox, success in rodeo is about more than buckles and saddles. She carries a personal motto with her into every competition: JISTA — “Jesus Is Still The Answer.”

     

    “You’ll see that or the ‘God is greater than the highs and lows’ logo on all my stuff,” she said. “That’s what keeps me going in this crazy world.”

    As Cox looks toward her future, her mix of faith, family support and relentless drive suggests that her name may be one rodeo fans will see at the top of results for years to come.

  • Team Cavender’s: Harley Pryor

    Team Cavender’s: Harley Pryor

    At just 17, Harley Pryor has spent nearly half a decade as a member of Team Cavender’s. What started as an invitation back in middle school has turned into something much more than a sponsorship.

    “It’s like family,” Pryor said. “You don’t just sign up to be on Team Cavender’s. They hand-pick people, and that makes it feel more personal and meaningful.”

    Now entering her senior year of high school, the Florida native says she is splitting her time between her hometown of Moore Haven, Florida, and the heart of Texas rodeo country—Stephenville, Texas—where she trains and competes full-time.

    Though she has been part of the Cavender’s team for four years, Pryor said her favorite memories come from the annual team summit, where members gather for a few days of connection and education.

    “They bring in speakers like Amy Wilson, fitness coaches, social media experts—just people who help us be better in and out of the arena,” she said. “Plus, it’s a lot of fun. We hang out at the pool, have dinner with the Cavender family, and get to see the main Cavender’s building.”

    Pryor’s journey into rodeo was not a matter of if—it was a matter of when. Her family has been rooted in Florida ranching and rodeoing for generations. She said her dad wrestled steers, his mom and grandparents roped, and she was roping calves by the time she could walk.

    “If I didn’t rodeo, I was going to be working cows the rest of my life,” she said. “We live on a big ranch and everyone ropes. My grandpa taught me, and he is still my biggest supporter.” Despite being raised on a Florida ranch, Pryor knew early on that Texas was where she needed to be to take her career to the next level.

    “Florida is more cowboying. Texas is rodeoing,” she said. “People don’t realize how different it is until they come out here.”

    These days, Pryor said she is homeschooled through Florida’s system, with plans to graduate and hit the professional rodeo trail full-time after filling her permit. She has already made a name for herself on the amateur circuit and once competed at The American at just 13 years old aboard her standout horse, Jol.

    “She tore both her deep flexors, and they told me I’d never ride her again,” Pryor said. “But she came back. I only haul her to the big ones now.”

    Pryor said her current string of horses is carefully selected to match different setups: Muffin, a go-fast horse; Tick, who is versatile on speed and timing; Jolene, an up-and-comer still in training; and Jol, who remains a cornerstone of Pryor’s story.

     

    “My grandpa always said you are only as good as your horsepower, and I have been blessed with great horses,” she said.

     

    When she is not in the arena, Pryor said she enjoys hog hunting and collecting gator eggs back home—a nod to her roots on Florida’s rugged ranchlands. And even with big dreams ahead, she carries her upbringing with her into every competition.

    “I told myself I wanted to get out of Florida and make a name for myself,” she said. “I’m still working on that, but I’m getting there.”

  • Team Cavender’s: Kash Loyd

    Team Cavender’s: Kash Loyd

    For Kash Loyd, rodeo is more than a passion—it’s a path shaped by family, tradition and professional ambition. The high school junior from Rio Vista, Texas, has been competing since he was 3, and for nearly three years, he has proudly worn the Team Cavender’s patch—something he said he once only dreamed about.

     

    “I have been around rodeo for quite a long time,” Loyd said. “I saw people wearing the Cavender’s brand and thought, ‘How do I get there?’”

     

    With encouragement from friends already on the team and a good word from past team member Cooper Lane, Loyd said he earned his spot. Since then, he has grown not only as a rider but also as a young professional.

     

    “Team Cavender’s teaches you how to be a professional—how to act in public, how to eat properly, how to handle social media and sponsors,” he said. “It’s real-life training that’s incredibly beneficial.”

     

    Lloyd said his favorite memory has been the Team Cavender’s Summit, an annual gathering in Tyler, Texas, that brings together all team athletes.

     

    “You’re not just spending time with rough stock riders,” he said. “You’re with team ropers, breakaway ropers—everybody. It feels like a family.”

     

    Loyd said his rodeo journey started early. His dad, Kevin, was a bronc rider, and he followed closely behind—first on sheep, then on mini ponies as that division gained popularity in 2015. He won his division at the Junior World Finals in 2016 and has not looked back.

    “Growing up, that’s all I wanted to do,” he said. “Still is.”

     

    After briefly experimenting with saddle bronc riding, Lloyd said he found his groove in the bareback riding, where he blends techniques from top ProRodeo athletes into his evolving style.

     

    “If I take one thing from R.C. Landingham and another from Bradlee Miller, that style becomes Kash Lloyd,” he said. “You tweak the little things until it works for you.”

     

    Lloyd said mentorship from top riders, like Tilden Hooper, and his parents’ support has been crucial.

     

    “They help me keep a level head and focus on the mental side of the game,” he said. “Everything we do, we do as a family.”

     

    That includes his 12-year-old twin brothers, Kane and Crew, who ride mini ponies. Lloyd said he helps when he can, though he admitted his dad does most of the coaching.

     

    “I can point you in the right direction,” he added. “But I’m not the best at explaining it in detail.”

     

    Lloyd attends Rio Vista High School, a small class 2A school where he competes on the golf team and helped start a rodeo team. He added that balancing both sports can be tough, but his priorities are clear.

     

    “I let the golf coach know from the start—I won’t be at practices or tournaments on the weekends I’m rodeoing,” he said.

     

    Lloyd plans to attend Tarleton State University in the future. He said he is drawn there due to the strong rodeo program and family ties—his mom is an alumna. He added that he hopes to study agricultural business, eventually run his own company, and—if all goes well—make a living through rodeo.

     

    “That’s the goal,” he said. “To rodeo professionally and not need a ‘real job.’ I want to be known for doing it the right way.”

     

    As for his brothers, Lloyd hopes they’ll join him in the arena one day. “If we could all make the NFR in the same year,” he said, smiling, “that would be cool.”

  • Team Cavender’s: Mallory Moore

    Team Cavender’s: Mallory Moore

    For Lufkin, Texas, cowgirl Mallory Moore, the rodeo was not something passed down—she discovered, nurtured and turned it into a way of life. From her first horseback ride at age 4 to her senior year on Team Cavender’s, Moore has grown into one of Region V’s standout high school rodeo competitors, fueled by grit, family support and a deep love for the sport.

    Moore said she began working at the Cavender’s store in Lufkin in August 2023, unaware that the opportunity would lead her to become part of the Cavender’s legacy in a much larger way.

    “I was interested in Cavender’s being one of my sponsors,” Moore said. “I didn’t even know about Team Cavender’s until I started looking into how to get sponsored, and my store manager told me about it. I applied in time for my senior year and was thrilled when I got the email saying I made the team.”

    Though she only spent one year with Team Cavender’s, Moore said she loved every minute of it. She highlighted her favorite memory as their yearly summit meeting.

    “It was a good mixture of rodeo, friendships and business,” she said. “It wasn’t just about being in the arena—it was a life perspective. I made some great friendships, and it gave me a broader view of what it means to represent something bigger than myself.”

    Moore competes in barrel racing and pole bending. While she once entered nearly every event—team roping, breakaway, goat tying, even cutting—she is now focusing her energy on the two events closest to her heart.

    “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized training barrel horses is where my main passion lies,” she said.

    Photo Courtesy of Mallory Moore

    That passion did not come from family tradition. “None of my family rodeoed,” Moore said. “My dad did some cutting, and my uncle runs cattle, but I was the first to get into rodeo.”

    Her journey started with riding lessons from a local woman who did not run barrels but taught her the fundamentals. “I kind of took it from there and trained my horses over the years,” Moore said.

    Moore added her most influential horse was a gelding named Hershey. “I got him in eighth grade, and he took me farther than I ever imagined,” she said. “He won me my first saddles and broke the arena record in Lufkin. He taught me everything I know.”

    Today, Hershey carries a new rider—Moore’s nine-year-old sister Remy.

    “Watching them together makes my heart so happy,” she said. “He knows when to go fast and when to take care of her. Remy has seen what I accomplished with him and wants to do the same.”

    With three younger siblings—two who dance and one who rides—Moore said her parents spend most of their time supporting their children’s passions on the road.

    “They’ve always pushed me to be my best and be the best sportsman I can be,” Moore said. “Their support, along with my grandparents and that first riding coach, has made all the difference.”

    Now preparing for life after high school, Moore said she plans to attend a community college this fall and plans on buying her permit.

    “Eventually, I want to go pro and PRCA rodeo. I’ve always dreamed of getting on the road and seeing how far I can go in barrel racing,” she said.

    One of Moore’s proudest moments was receiving the Legend Williamson Award from the Piney Woods Rodeo Association. The award is named for 10-year-old Legend Williamson, who died in a horseback riding accident in 2021.

    “Legend was a friend of mine who passed away. He never met a stranger and always shared God’s light,” she said. “Receiving that award meant the world to me. I want to carry that light and support others like he did.”

    Whether in the arena or in life, Moore rides with heart, faith and a fierce determination to make her mark on the rodeo world.

  • Team Cavender’s: Dillon Grote

    Team Cavender’s: Dillon Grote

    In the fast-paced world of rodeo, where the stakes are high and the competition is fierce, young athletes like Dillon Grote, an 18-year-old from Bennington, Oklahoma, must balance dedication, ambition and family support.

    “Rodeo is a family affair,” said the young competitor. His mother, a former professional rodeo athlete, and his father, a cattle-showing winner, played a significant role in shaping his passion for the sport.

    Photo Courtesy of Dillon Grote

    “My mom got me into rodeo,” Grote said. “She made the college finals, won the CRRA, and really paved the way for me to take the next step.”

    As a child, Grote said he would accompany her to competitions, eventually taking up the sport, and gradually working his way up.

    “My dad won, my mom won,” he added. “I think winning was the only option. It just ran through the family.”

    Grote said his parents’ unwavering support—especially his mother’s decision to step away from the rodeo world to focus on his training—has been a cornerstone of his career.

    “She devoted all of her time to me,” he said. “I owe my parents all of my success.”

    Grote said he first learned about the opportunity to join Team Cavender’s through his good friends, Kyan Wilhite, Luke Coleman, Colee Cox, Riley Edens and Coralie Massey.

    “I just kind of saw the merch they were wearing, the jackets and stuff, and I thought it looked cool,” he recalled. After chatting with Kyan, Grote said he received the green light to apply. “Kyan texted Sydney, who told me about the application process. I filled it out, and then we talked at state finals.”

    The young rodeo athlete said that Team Cavender’s isn’t just about the competition; it’s about building relationships. He added that the team provides valuable exposure and networking, opening doors to bigger opportunities.

    “Not everyone gets to be on Cavender’s, so if you make it, it says something about you as a person and as a rodeo athlete,” he said.

    Grote added that team members attended a media training day and had access to bigger sponsors, which gave him an edge in the sport.

    Grote said he focuses on preparing for life after high school outside of rodeo. He is enrolled in a vocational technology program and added that learning a trade will set him up for success beyond rodeo.

    “I’m in the HVAC class,” he said. “HVAC technicians and plumbers are projected to be among the highest-paid jobs in the next five years. It’s a good business to get into.”

    The tech program allows students to complete roughly 1,050 hours of coursework over two years, giving them a head start in their careers after graduation.

    “I’m hoping to be a contractor and work in HVAC while still rodeoing on the side,” he said. It’s clear that while rodeo is his passion, he is pragmatic about his future.

    Grote said rodeo has taught him valuable lessons in perseverance, especially regarding the complexity of tie-down roping.

    “It’s one of the most complicated events. There are so many things that could go wrong,” he explained. “You have to do everything right, and it requires skill, timing, and a great horse to make a perfect run.”

    Grote said the challenge is part of what makes the sport so rewarding. He added that his victory at the 2024 Hooey Junior Patriot, where he won $25,000, stands out as one of his proudest achievements.

    “Being 17 and winning $25,000, I didn’t even know what to do with that kind of money,” he said.

    Grote said his goals don’t stop there. With his ProRodeo permit in hand, he added he wants to qualify for the permit finals and circuit finals, and eventually make a run for the NFR.

    “I’m just excited to see where this journey takes me,” he said.