story by Kyle Eusitce
Aside from his older sister Rebecca, nobody else in Cole Compton’s family is involved in rodeo, yet somehow the 17-year-old Kernersville, N.C. native found his way to the arena and has been in love with it ever since. “I started team roping in 2013,” said Cole. “My sister is a vet tech and the doctor she worked for team roped, so I went to his house, tried it once, and was hooked.”
Cole joined the NCHSRA in 2013, two months before he joined the JRSRA, and has qualified for the National Finals each year. He’s been riding a red roan, Tater, for a year and a half. He’s drawn to the horses, people and challenge of the rodeo world.
Cole’s parents, Eric and Shannon, are thrilled he’s found something he can be passionate about, but education is also a top priority. Cole is homeschooled, which allows him to travel from event to event. “My parents have been real good about supporting me,” said Cole. “But my mom is pretty tough. I have to work around school.”
Cole wants to go to college after he graduates next year. He hasn’t decided what he wants to study, however, he’s leaning towards animal science or engineering at Texas A&M. In the meantime, he’s focused on competing in the NHSRA National Finals in Gillette, Wyo. and various other rodeo events, including an SRA competition in Polksville, N.C. and several JRSRA events.
“I’ve met a lot of friends in the rodeo,” said Cole. “My favorite part is the competition and being able to do what I love. Rodeo is kind of it for me as far as hobbies go. I love rodeo. It’s my whole life.”
In addition to winning several buckles and saddles, one of his biggest wins was a 2014 1500 Dodge truck at a JX2 Production called the Hillbilly Redneck Truck Roping event.
“It’s a lot like team roping, but you rope for a truck instead,” explained Cole. “The grand prize was a truck and I won. It was my first year ever roping and I won out of 950 teams. I was very excited and my parents were really happy for me.”
On the road, Cole loves eating at any Texas Roadhouse. “I love steaks,” said Cole. Along with two horses and one colt, he has six dogs—Rowdy, Randy, Tinkerbell, Scooby Doo, Jack, Diesel the Beagle—that need a lot of attention. He really doesn’t have much time for anything else. He’s either washing the horses, doing chores, practicing, or preparing for his next event. His eyes, however, are always set on the future.
“I want to make it to The American in Texas,” said Cole. “I want to be in PRCA, as well. So I’m just going to keep practicing. It’s my life at this point and I really wouldn’t want to do anything else.”
