story by Kyle Eustice
Seventeen-year-old Kortney Backus learned a tough lesson about materialism at an early age. When the Moab, Utah native and her family were hauling their trailer to a rodeo event, they started having problems with their truck. Five minutes after pulling over to investigate what was going on, the truck was suddenly engulfed in flames. Everything she thought was important—a fancy saddle, expensive gear, the perfect trailer—was destroyed.
“I lost everything,” said Kortney. “I learned life wasn’t really about stuff. It was more about being humble and realizing if I worked hard, I could achieve success. It didn’t matter if I had the right saddle or whatever. I could succeed by just being who I am.”
Since joining the UHSRA in 2013, Kortney has focused on perfecting her skills as a rider, but pulls double duty as the Silver State International Rodeo Queen, which requires her to be the face of the rodeo.
“My job as a queen is to keep the sponsors happy,” said Kortney, “I go to different PR events, like the NFR, and spread the word across the state, to help keep the association alive.”
She’s learned about what makes a qualified queen by her participation in other events like barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, and a newer event—reined cow horse, and always putting good sportsmanship into practice.
“You have to have a lot of dedication to do it,” explained Kortney. “It’s every day. We don’t really get a break. You have to feed the horses, take them to the vet and make sure they get worked. It’s important to have the passion for the sport.”
It’s not uncommon to find most rodeo contestants share the same vigor for the sport. It’s part of what makes it so alluring for Kortney. She’s been able to meet a lot of friends along the way. Her parents, Kelsie and Brian, sister Kesley and younger brother Clynn, 15, have been nothing but encouraging. Now a senior at Grand Country High School, she’s focused on the road ahead.
“I want to keep rodeoing,” said Kortney. “My goal is to rodeo in college, become Miss Rodeo Utah, Miss Rodeo America, and then enter the PRCA.”
In the meantime, she’s reveling in her recent victory as first attendant at the UHSRA state finals, her title as Silver State International Rodeo Queen, and the thrill of traveling.
“I think rodeo makes you grow up fast,” said Kortney. “You learn a lot and that’s why I love it.”
