by Kyle Eustice
At only 16-years-old, Roswell, New Mexico native Maddy Deerman has already endured some tough lessons. After moving to Hope, New Mexico with her mother Joley Deerman and father Brook Deerman, she suddenly lost her dad. As an only child, that left her and her mother alone. However, both women have risen to the occasion and now lean on each other for support, as well as their strong faith. The Artesia High School student continues to rodeo in her father’s honor.
“My dad and my mom rodeoed up until the time I was born,” explained Maddy. “I grew up on a cattle ranch outside of Hope, so naturally I was on and around horses all of the time. As soon as I was old enough to be on a horse, my dad put a rope in my hand and I grew to love it. I started going to rodeos around the age of six and haven’t looked back since.”
Currently a member of the NMHSRA, Maddy has also been involved with the New Mexico Junior Rodeo Association, the High Plains Junior Rodeo Association, and the Joe Beaver’s Junior Superstars (which she is still in).
“I joined to travel and compete to better myself in my rodeo career as much as possible,” said Maddy. “I compete in team roping and breakaway roping. Breakaway roping is by far my favorite of the two because it allows me to see results when I practice hard, train and rope on amazing horses, and breakaway provides me with many opportunities I could not gain in any other area.”
In the summer of 2016, Maddy accomplished some of her biggest goals—winning the state of New Mexico in heading and breakaway in the high school rodeos, winning the Best of the Best breakaway, and placing in the top five of both the Shawnee IFYR and the National High School Finals in the summer of 2016. “I felt very blessed to accomplish these prestigious events,” said Maddy. “In the future, my goals for my rodeo career are to win the New Mexico High School Rodeo Association, Best of the Best, Shawnee IFYR, and National High School Finals breakaway all in the same year. I also hope to have success in my rodeo career in college.”
Although she lives too far out of town to compete in other athletic activities, she uses her free time to practice for rodeo and study. The studious rodeo contestant is also a member of the National Honor Society.
“I think a great rodeo contestant must always be humble, whether winning or losing, and give all the glory to God,” said Maddy. “I also usually practice every day around two hours as long as the weather allows it.”
During rodeo season, Maddy travels to rodeos as often as possible, and usually heads to a different event every weekend, something she always looks forward to each and every time.
“My favorite part about competing is the rush and anticipation I experience leading up to the short round of an important roping,” said Maddy. “It’s like the calm before the storm. It provides me the chance to showcase my abilities.”
While she’s not studying, at school or practicing on her horse, she is taking care of her dog and eight horses, including her favorite, Yeller.
“Yeller is my number one breakaway horse,” said Maddy. “He has such an eccentric personality, gives his heart every time we back into the box, and isn’t afraid to show you how important he is.”
