story by Terry Rhodes
Kendal Baker has been in the Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association for three years and likes being part of the association. “I really enjoy the rodeo atmosphere. The towns that they have them in are small and so the events are community based. The Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association is like a family. Everybody supports everybody. The stock contractors take care of you. The committees that put on the rodeos want the rodeo to be good for the town as well as the competitors. There is always added money and the payouts are really good. It’s a fun association to be part of. I’d like to thank all the stock contractors and the RMPRA for all the work they do to put on rodeos for us. ” She competes in breakaway and does some barrel racing and team roping.
For Kendal getting ready to run requires some visualization to get the perfect run in mind. “I try to pick two or three things to focus on and then just go and have fun. Rodeo is 99% mental and if you over-think it that will just get in your way. Rodeo is my passion and I strive to make a better run than the one before. I don’t want to stay at one level, I always want to improve. I want to ride my horses better, score better, and compete at a higher level than I did on the previous run. Most of my horses have been trained by my dad and me, something I am extremely proud of.”
Dedication and perseverance has led to a plenty of success for Kendal, but there is one that stands out as personal victory for her. “I won the Riverton RMPRA rodeo in the breakaway with a 2.3. The reason that I was so excited about that one is that I had been in college for two years and had some rough times and was switching horses. I sat out for a month and a half and didn’t rope one calf. I went to Riverton and got on my boyfriend’s horse and won the rodeo. That kind of showed me that I can’t let anyone get in my way. I just have to believe in myself.”
Kendal grew up in the world of rodeo with parents, Bud and Kaysie and brother Tyler. Her parents competed in high school, college, and amateur rodeos. “I have been doing this for as long as I can remember. It’s always been a family oriented activity for us. It is extremely memorable when we as a family get the opportunity to go to a team roping or rodeo together and do what we love as a family.” She had all the help she needed and good coaching from dad. “My mom and dad have been my biggest influence to me. My dad was always there to push my calf and talk about the score and the barrier. My mom was one of my biggest supporters as well, whether she was in the stands cheering me on or warming up another horse.” She was state champion barrel racing and goat tying in junior rodeo, and had a rodeo scholarship to the College of Southern Idaho.
Kendal, 22 and her husband, Dylon recently moved to Buell, Idaho. Dylon is also an RMPRA member and was featured in this column January, 2015. During the week Kendal works for Magic Valley Electric doing secretarial, HR, and general office work. Leisure time is spent with family and maybe playing a little golf. Goals for the future are to get into a dental hygiene program. “I’m going to continue with my rodeo, I won’t be giving that up. I’m trying to qualify for the World Series Finale in Las Vegas and that would be a great opportunity and experience.”
