story by Lily Weinacht
The 2016 season was Jesse Sheffield’s first in the CPRA since his high school rodeo days, but the tie-down and team roper from Delta, Colorado, is no rookie to the professional rodeo arena. Jesse was named 2016 CPRA All-Around Cowboy, and followed the title by winning two rounds and second in the average at the PRCA Mountain State Circuit Finals Rodeo with his roping partner, Travis Bounds. “I thought the CPRA did a heck of a job with the finals. We produce ropings and barrel races, and I know how much work goes into a show and keeping the rodeo tradition alive,” says Jesse. “With any sort of athletics, confidence is key, and I play to win. As my cowboy hero, Dave Ericsson told me, ‘No catchem, no eatem.’
“I grew up on a ranch, and my dad always said, ‘You can do whatever you want when you’re eighteen, but until then, you’re a cowboy.’” Jesse recalls with a laugh. “The western tradition is so unique because of the competition, which can bring out the best or worst in a person. It’s really important to me to keep that tradition alive, especially in today’s world. Cowboys may be wild, but they’re respectful and they have manners and courage, and that’s what sets us apart.”
Jesse grew up competing in NLBRA rodeos and later high school rodeoed for Utah before joining the PRCA in 1996, where he’s been in the top 20 of the heading, heeling, and tie-down roping throughout his career. He college rodeoed for four years, and after winning the Rocky Mountain Region his freshman year, he transferred to a school in Texas to try his hand at the Southern Region, and qualified for the CNFR three more times in the tie-down and team roping. “It’s almost impossible to rodeo without help. My family, people like Galen Bower, Kent Shiozawa, Chad Richard, and so many others have helped me in my life. As I get older, it’s important to me that I do the same for others.”
The last two years, Jesse and his wife, Jody, have produced a series of barrel races and ropings in Western Colorado, known as Rope N Run, along with leasing roping cattle. They offer a spring and fall series, which take place all over the Western Slope. “It’s great for families, and we incorporate things for the kids as well,” says Jesse. “My family helps put it on, and we’ve been partners with Cannon Livestock. My parents and I run beef and roping cattle, and we also raise horses, so that’s my full-time gig.”
Jesse and Jody have trained horses together for their business, J$ Land & Livestock, since they were married. The couple first met at a rodeo, where Jody, a rodeo queen, borrowed one of Jesse’s horses to pack a flag. She qualified for the WNFR in 2011 on their home-raised horse, Zoey, and competed in several CPRA rodeos this summer after giving birth to their daughter, Josse Jo, on the Fourth of July. “We work to raise balanced, all-around horses that I can rope calves on, Jody can take barrel racing, but can also be used on the ranch. I think that’s the key to long-term success,” Jesse explains. “We had eight foals this year, and both the horses I compete on are ones I raised.” Get Rich Or Die Trying, also known as Zorba, is his six-year-old team roping horse, while Jesse ropes calves on Dynamite, also Jody’s barrel horse.
“We enjoy spending time with family, hunting, and fishing, as long as it involves our horses. We’re in a transition phase with rodeoing and keeping it a family deal, but I have the same goals as always: winning and having fun with my family. I want to thank my roping partner, Travis; my wife, Jody; my family; and the Lord. I am truly blessed!”
For more information about J$ Land & Livestock, visit jmoneyhorses.com.
