story by Lindsay King
Trent Wood from Portales, New Mexico, is both a header in the team roping and a tie-down roper, but is partial to team roping. “I started heading when I was probably 7, I have been doing it a lot longer than calf roping. I am probably better as a header and that is what my family spends more time on since my dad team ropes also.” The 15-year-old is the son of Lance Wood and Misty Raines and has a 16-year-old brother, Jake Banister. “Dad has helped me the most in the rodeo arena. He is always there to help both at practice and rodeos. He pushes calves out and helps me get ready, he helps with anything I need really.” His mom is also supportive at practice and rodeos, making sure Trent has his back number and a videographer.
He has enjoyed being around the action of rodeo and growing up in the western way of life. “My team roping partner and I are the only ones at school that rodeo, everyone asks a lot of questions about it because they do not know what it is like.” A freshman at Dora Consolidated Schools, Trent enjoys P.E. the most because he gets to rope to fulfill the class requirements. It is easy to see Trent’s favorite activity is roping, but he also enjoys golf and hunting. “I have been golfing the past two years, usually my dad and I go. He is a good golfer, so it gets really competitive.” Trent likes to hunt deer and coyotes with his rifle around the house. During the summer going to Ute Lake with friends is one of Trent’s favorite past times. “We fish a bit but mostly we kneeboard, wake board, ski and swim a little. I like to knee board the best, it is the only one that I have figured out the best, which makes it fun.”
State finals is easily Trent’s favorite rodeo of the year. “I enjoy spending more than two days at a rodeo. I get to see my friends longer and they also have team roping jackpots during the finals. It is kind of double dipping in rodeo.” Trent is working towards a state championship in the team roping this year. “The hardest part about rodeo is trying not to make a mistake, staying behind the barrier and handling the steer so my heeler has a good chance of catching two feet. I like to be on the barrier, so I can win, so I mess it up quite a bit.” His first taste of a state championship came last year in the ribbon roping and this year Trent placed third in the average in the team roping at the JNFR. “My proudest moment in rodeo so far was qualifying for the JNFR with my heeler Hayden Powell. It was neat to see all the bright lights and the small set up that the big dogs compete in. It really got me psyched up for the season.”
His mental game starts with focus but falls back on preparation for the event with his heeler. “We like to watch the start so we can figure out the score and talk about what needs to be done for the animal we draw.” Trent’s favorite rodeo food is Raising Canes Chicken, because it is not available in New Mexico. “I really like all the tough competition in the NMHSRA. I get to spend a lot of time with my old friends, but I also get to meet new people at every rodeo.”
