story by Lily Weinacht
Hayden Boardman discovered his love for rodeo’s classic event in high school, and today, the 21-year-old from West Mountain, Utah, is sitting in the top 10 of the RMPRA saddle bronc standings. He also competes in team roping as a heeler on the Utah Valley University rodeo team with Kaycie Ahlstrom, but saddle bronc remains a firm favorite. “It’s extra challenging. I’ve ridden horses and colts since I was little, but riding broncs is actually the most difficult thing I’ve ever done,” says Hayden. “I’ve had to work really hard at it, but when I ride, it makes all the time and effort I put into it worth it. To ride a horse that big and powerful—that’s why I like it.”
Not too long ago, Hayden was considering quitting rodeo after a series of injuries kept setting him back, including a herniated disc that required back surgery, and surgery on his shoulder. But when he started working out more and took up CrossFit training this spring, he noticed significant improvements in his riding. “Shane Blackett works with me a lot and my friend Rhett Nelson and his brother. Shane has gotten into helping rodeo guys and studies what muscles we use. He’s been helping get my strength up, and it’s been a big change in my rodeo career. If I do get bucked off, I’m stronger and I bounce back a lot better.”
Hayden also feels mentally stronger going into the RMPRA finals in November. “I competed at the finals last year, but it didn’t go very well. I let it get to my head,” he explains. “This year should go a lot better, and I’m more confident.” He’s also working hard to qualify for the CNFR this season and currently sitting seventh in the NIRA Rocky Mountain region. “Last year I was one spot away from going, but I’m going to make it this year. It’ll be a good year I think, and I got some points the last few weekends.”
Since he’s able to live at home while going to college, Hayden commutes to school twice a week and shoes and rides horses in between. “I went to a horseshoeing school in Tucson last winter and came home and got some help from shoers around here. I started on my own a couple months ago shoeing horses for my friends and uncles. They spread the word, and I have a pretty good clientele. I like it a lot, and this winter I’m going to find a good, professional guy to go with and learn some more.”
In between work, Hayden practices at home or school. He’s finishing a mare he plans to start competing on next year, but rides Rhett Nelson’s horse Mighty in the team roping since they travel to rodeos together. During high school, Hayden’s parents, Clay and Liz Boardman, got practice horses for him, and he and his dad built bucking chutes in their arena. “Anything I needed, it was there for me. My dad is probably my biggest supporter, and he and my mom hardly ever miss a rodeo. My Uncle Luke was always there to pick up for me when I first started, and Uncle Shad was a saddle bronc rider and always there helping me. We bucked every Wednesday night, and Troy and Glen Fowkes brought horses every week for us to get on.” Hayden’s younger sister, Madison, also competes in rodeo, entering the team roping, breakaway roping, and goat tying in the UHSRA.
In his free time, Hayden enjoys hunting and camping with his family, as well as helping his dad guide hunters in the area. Hayden’s goal is to finish his business degree, but he also wants to be a welding teacher. He was very active in welding in high school, and even won a welding competition at the district level. “My goal for next year is to buy my pro card so I can go to pro rodeos and make the circuit finals,” he finishes. “I’ll go to RMPRA rodeos in between. The more rodeos I can hit, the better!
