story by Lily Weinacht
Jodie Calhoun is the committee representative for both the CPRA and MHRA. While the 54 year old from Aurora, Colorado, hasn’t competed in rodeo, she has extensive knowledge of the sport and its inner workings, thanks to growing up watching her relatives compete and a love for the Western culture.
“Rodeo has literally been a way of life for me since I was born, and I pretty much grew up at the arena watching aunts and uncles practice and rodeo, so it’s more of a passion than a fascination,” says Jodie. “My mom moved us kids from Pueblo to Denver so she could support us, and I never did get to compete, but I’ve followed rodeo and gone to just about every rodeo in Colorado and the surrounding states all my life.” Several of Jodie’s relatives have competed in the CPRA, including one of her cousins, Tarren, who also rode in the PBR. Having watched many CPRA rodeos over the years and even designing flyers for one of their events, Jodie was thrilled to accept the nomination to the board of directors last fall. “I was surprised and very honored. I’m still learning but I have some great ideas, and I’m hoping to bring people together and keep this way of life going,” she says.
As a board member of MHRA, Jodie was also instrumental in moving the 2017 CPRA finals to Norris Penrose in Colorado Springs. “The finals are a favorite of mine and really close to my heart because they bring everybody together. I was part of going to look at the venue, and we’re excited about the possibilities that will come with the change. There are so many great rodeos around,” she adds, “but one I’m hoping to get to for the first time is Walden.”
Along with meetings for both CPRA and MHRA, Jodie does freelance graphic artwork for the associations, stock contractors, and contestants. “I’ll do flyers and other graphic design and art. I was honored to help promote Clint Heltibridle’s open CPRA/NMRA sanctioned roughstock series, and the upcoming Buck for the Fallen open ranch bronc and bull riding in Calhan (Colorado).” During the week, Jodie works with Numotion, helping patients with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) purchase medical equipment. Prior to that, she worked with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, doing home visits around Colorado and Wyoming, delivering medical equipment and stocking loan closets which store the equipment.
“If I’m not working or doing some type of graphic arts, I’m at a rodeo,” says Jodie. “I come from a very long line of bull riders, and I have several uncles that rode bareback, but my favorite event to watch is saddle bronc. There’s something about men and horses competing against each other that I love. I attended a rodeo judging and secretary seminar recently, which was a good refresher, and I think judging would be a lot of fun. When I’m at rodeos with my friends, we’ll try to score the riders, and usually we’re right there with the judges’ scores.
“My goal is to keep this industry alive,” Jodie finishes. “I want to get more people into rodeo and help educate them about what it is, and help the contestants do what they love. This way of life is a labor of love, and after this first year of learning and observing on the board, I really hope to bring some rodeo committees together and bring in great rodeos for 2018 and beyond.”
