story by Lindsay King
Quincy and Everett Reeves split their time between New Mexico and Arizona competing in junior high and high school rodeos. Quincy competed in the NMJHSRA but switched to the AHSRA when he became a freshman. “I compete in cutting, but they took that out of the all-around points in New Mexico, so I switched to Arizona,” said 15-year-old Quincy. Switching associations was a tough decision, but he enjoys watching his 13-year-old brother compete. Everett is in eighth grade and competes in tie-down roping, team roping, ribbons and chute dogging in the NMJHSRA.
“Quincy and I rope together almost every day. I know what kind of handle he likes so it is easy to head for him,” said Everett. The boys plan to rope together when they are both in high school. Team roping is Everett’s favorite event, but Quincy likes tie-down the best. “Not as many people rope calves anymore, but I love the challenge of the event,” Quincy said. He was the New Mexico state champion tie-down roper this past summer. The brothers started competing at a young age since horses were already a part of their lives.
The Douglas, Arizona, cowboys have grown up riding and roping on the family ranches: Price Canyon Ranch and Cain Spire Ranch. Because the boys travel so much, they are both homeschooled by their parents, Kenny and Michelle. “We both like that we can finish school and chores then go to the practice pen every day. And that we don’t have any homework of course,” Everett said. The boys also rodeo in New Mexico 4-H, AJRA and HYRA. “We both had a very successful season in 4-H rodeo this year,” Everett added.
Outside of rodeo, the boys enjoy hunting. “We mostly hunt deer, bears, lions, basically anything we have permits for on the ranch. We also like to go out looking for wild cows,” Quincy said. Prowling for mavericks, wild cattle without brands on them, on the family ranch is a favorite past time. “There are some big cattle that elude the branding pen. They are usually wild, so they are fun to catch. We go out and search every chance we get,” Quincy said.
Jared Hofstetter, Chance Kelton, Jake Barnes and Junior Nogueira have all been big influences in improving the boys’ roping and riding. “All of them work hard at what they do and can break down the sport at our level so that we are successful wherever we are as ropers. Without all of them, my brother and I would not be the ropers we are today,” Everett said. After a tough go for Quincy at nationals last year, he is looking for redemption while Everett is hoping to make his first trip.
One day the boys hope to rope for matching gold buckles at the NFR together in team roping and individually in tie-down. “We would both like to go to Texas Tech University one day and rodeo on their team. I want to be a veterinarian and Everett wants to be a lawyer,” Quincy said. Their mom travels to all parts of the world doing medical missions. She took Quincy with her a few years ago and this year it was Everett’s turn. “It is a tradition for us now. We went to Asia and got to ride in a hot-air balloon up to 10,000 feet,” Everett said. The boys both agree they owe their success to Jesus Christ and their parents, who support their fees every weekend. They feel blessed for the opportunity to rodeo and ride great horses.
