story by Lily Weinacht
Cadon Remington at the Rising Stars Calf Roping, Ducan, OK, 2013 – photo by Kierce Photography
“Rodeo gives the world meaning, and I want to win so bad – I can’t quit! I want to be at the WNFR someday,” says Cadon Remington, a 14-year-old from Hiawatha, Kan. He has been rodeoing for the last ten years, and rodeo is what makes his world go ‘round. He was only one and a half points from the KJRA all-around title last year, but is dauntless in his pursuit of first place. He attributes his growth in rodeo to his dad, his brothers, and to Luke Madson, who taught him to tie-down rope. “My brothers have made me the competitor I am, and I look up to them all the time. They mean the world to me.”
Today, Cadon competes in goat tying, team roping as both a header and heeler, ribbon roping, tie-down roping, and chute doggin’, though he refers to himself with amusement as a chute dragger rather than a chute dogger. “I really love tying goats,” Cadon explains. “I love the adrenaline of getting off at a run, and when I lift my leg off my horse, he slides just like a reining horse. He’s pretty cool.” Cadon goat ties off of Shrek, who he’s had just over a year. While Shrek started out green and rather fat, he has excelled under Cadon’s training. “He’s my first dream tie-down horse, and I’m really starting to fall for him!” Cadon’s breakaway, ribbon roping, and backup tie-down horse is a steady 22-year-old mare named Grams. Millie, his all-around and team roping horse, is the same age as Cadon.
With 20 horses, two dogs, cats, goats, and cattle, there is ample work at the Remington’s home. Cadon is often the first one out of bed, rising before the sun to feed and do chores before school, then returning at night to practice and exercise his three horses before calling it a day. “My horses take good care of me, so I take good care of them.” Cadon’s favorite way to practice is roping with his brothers – Chance (24), and twins Cole and Cody (21). Cole and Cody are rodeoing on scholarships at Oklahoma Panhandle State University and are NHSFR qualifiers, while Chance also rodeoed on a scholarship at Fort Hays State University. Their step-sister, Madison (19), also ropes, and is studying at Kansas State University. When his brothers are home from school, Cadon is content to rope the day away with them, or go hunting. After everyone heads back to school, Cadon ropes with his dad, Stan Remington, and also enjoys going to watch his step-mom, JoAnn Remington, barrel race.
Cadon pulls himself away from his horses only long enough to study at Hiawatha Middle School. An eighth grader, his two favorite subjects are math and science, but he works hard to maintain A’s in all of his subjects. Following school, Cadon is back home, practicing for his latest rodeo. In the winter, he keeps busy with jackpots, tie-down ropings, and URA and IRA rodeos. He has competed in the Rising Stars Calf Roping in Duncan, Okla., twice, and is competing at the Barry Burk Junior Calf Roping in Ardmore, Okla. for the first time this year.
The Remington’s basement is full of saddles won by Cadon’s brothers, including Cole, who has won a saddle every year since 2008. Cadon plans to add several saddles of his own to the growing collection. “I really want to win the all-around this year and keep pushing myself forward. I’m also interested in being a vet, or doing equine aquatic therapy.” He finishes, “Thanks to my brothers and my family, and to everyone who has helped me and made me who I am today!”
