The Texan Rodeo Rundown: season opener at Eastern New Mexico University

BY MACKENZIE JOHNSON / Multimedia Journalist

The steady dropping of temperatures, shorter days and midterms not only marks the beginning of fall for Tarleton State University students, but also represents the start of a fresh season for Tarleton’s beloved and renowned rodeo program. 

Tarleton rodeo is accustomed to being in the winners circle, and as of the 2024 College National Finals Rodeo in June, was in it once more when the men’s team was acknowledged as national champions and the women’s team reserve champions, along with one individual championship in saddle bronc riding. 

The idea of Tarleton rodeo holding onto that prestige is not a far-fetched one considering the team’s standout performance at the first college rodeo of the school year. 

The team traveled to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico, Sept. 19-21 to inaugurate a brand new year of collegiate rodeoing, and Tarleton rodeo already has its sights set on the bright lights of the CNFR (College National Finals Rodeo). 

Tarleton finished out the weekend with both a men’s and women’s team championship, as well as three event championships. 

Bailey Small won the gold for saddle bronc riding, Tori Brower took home the goat tying championship and Jacelyn Frost won the breakaway roping.  

Besides Small, Brower and Frost, Tarleton had 19 total athletes place in the top 10 of the first round in their respective event to move forward to the finals round. Taylon Carmody, Roedy Farrell and Tucker Carricato qualified in bareback riding; Rylee Abel, Shyanne Bauerle, Keni Labrum and Emily McDeavitt qualified in goat tying; Waitley Sharon and Coleman Shalbetter qualified in saddle bronc; Lucca Alvarenga and Travis Staley qualified in tiedown roping; Karmen Martin, Mattie Hodgens and Tayler Felton qualified in breakaway roping; Mason Bice and Skyler Dominquez qualified in team roping and Lindsey-Kay Reichert, Jordan Driver and Taber Garcia qualified in barrel racing. 

Although Carricato brought home a reserve championship in bareback riding and several other finals qualifiers placed anywhere from third to 10th, Small, Brower and Frost were the three to be crowned champions when the short round (the finals) came to a close. 

Small placed first in the long round of saddle bronc with a score of 84 points, Brower tied for third-fith in goat tying with a time of 7.8 seconds and Frost tied for third-fifth with a catch of 2.4 seconds before all securing their event wins on Saturday night. 

“It felt great to start the season off strong with a win,” Frost said. “I’m so thankful to be a part of such an amazing and competitive team.”

Brower, a two time CNFR qualifier and member of the 2024 CNFR women’s reserve national champion team, also feels grateful to be an integral part of Tarleton rodeo’s success, especially as she embarks on her final year of college rodeo. 

“I’ve always wanted to win this rodeo,” Brower said. “I’m thankful to have finally done it my last year.”

There are nine more rodeos this season waiting to be won, and Small sees those wins written out in Tarleton purple. 

“Starting the season off with a team win on both the ladies and mens team is a great start for us,” Small said. “It gives the team a goal and expectation to hold. I am super excited for our season knowing we are a team capable of being successful.”

Tarleton is certainly a team capable of being successful, and all three of the Eastern New Mexico rodeo winners plan to capitalize on this early lead into the season. 

“I want to see our purple vest on the top of the list at every rodeo in saddle bronc riding and (at the top) as a team championship as well,” Small said. “If we all do our part in the week and stay focused, we should have the ability to be successful week in and week out.”

Competitively rodeoing at the collegiate level requires discipline and accountability, and prioritizing those expectations seems to be a common goal among Tarleton’s athletes; however, recognizing the blessing of getting to college rodeo is just as important. 

“My goal this year is to be thankful for every run,” Frost said. “And stay focused on the process of my big goals of winning the region and our women’s team winning the region.” 

What helps make these goals attainable are the opportunities Tarleton rodeo has to offer for its students. 

“Tarleton has given all the resources a person could think of for a college rodeo athlete,” Brower said. “My coaches Mark (Eakin) and Brittany (Stewart) have been nothing but supportive and always push for us to be better. Not only have they helped me with my skills (in the arena), but have also been great for my mindset.”

Small also credits the program itself for his ENMU rodeo win. 

“Tarleton rodeo’s contribution to this win is 100% in the coaching opportunities,” Small said.  “Showing up to practice and having Mark and Jacobs (Crawley) there to push us and make us better after each ride is absolutely outstanding. I’m a true believer that the reason our team has success each week is because of the opportunities Tarleton brings to the table.”

Tarleton rodeo’s second college rodeo of the fall semester is at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, Sept. 26-28 where Tarleton plans to not only bring back another men’s and women’s team championship, but show the rest of the Southwest Region that they have many more CNFR championships to win - and this is the perfect start of a season to achieve another.