story by Kyle Eustice
At only 13 years old, Rustin Baldwin has the kind of work ethic that takes many adults an entire lifetime to cultivate. Born in Lubbock, Texas and a current resident of Muleshoe, Texas, the Farwell Junior High student travels the 22 miles to Farwell, Texas to go to school every week day. As a member of the NMJHS, the young rodeo contestant also takes several trips to New Mexico to participate in his association. His parents, Coby and Stephanie Baldwin, are also the parents to his 16-years-old brother, Garrett, and 9-year-old sister, Makylee. They’ve always encouraged their son to follow his dreams.
“I have been riding a horse my whole life and was roping calves when I was 5,” said Rustin. “I joined the HPJRA when I was 6 and roped calves. My brother was already a member, so my parents signed me up, too.”
While he truly loves calf roping, he’s also proficient in several other events, including goat tying, ribbon roping and breakaway calf roping, but finds he’s most passionate about team roping, mostly because it involves his entire family.
“Team roping is something my whole family does together,” said Rustin. “My favorite event is team roping for sure.”
As a 6th grader, Rustin won reserve champion in the calf breakaway category and finished 20th at the Nationals, something he’d like to do again.
“My goal is to make it back to the Nationals in hopefully more than one event and make it back to the short go,” explained Rustin. “One day, I’d like to make it to the NFR, too.”
When he’s not practicing his events or participating in a rodeo, which he does as much as he can, he can be found on the football field, basketball court, track, or somewhere roping goats. For a young teenager boy, the fact he even understands the concept of humility is awe-inspiring.
“I think to be able to be a great rodeo contestant, you have to always be humble and be able to take instruction from whoever is willing to give it,” said Rustin. “Good horsemanship and good horses also play a big part.”
At the time, Rustin’s favorite horse is a bay horse named Caesar, who he uses to rope calves and also heads with, and also calls “a lot of fun.” If he’s not roping off his horse, he’s roping a dummy.
“I love going to rodeos and hanging out with my friends and family,” said Rustin. “It is pretty much our vacations.”
