story by Riata Cummings
Bailie Benoit is a 17-year-old rodeo athlete from West Pointe, Utah. She is the daughter of Brandon and Stacie Benoit, and her younger siblings are Cambrie and Jack. Bailie is a senior at Syracuse High School, and she enjoys her animal science classes. Bailie is a member of the National FFA Organization and the Vice President of her high school’s chapter. Bailie competes in the Horse 4-H, and through the FFA and 4-H, she competes in horse judging. After high school, Bailie plans to attend Weber State University to become a dental hygienist while continuing to ride her horses and rodeo.
Bailie has been riding for as long as she can remember, and remembers her grandfather teaching her to ride with lead-line. She started competing in the Horse 4-H as an 8-year-old and decided to branch out into rodeo as a high school freshman. “I don’t come from a rodeo family. My family is all in the horse world, but really only the showing side of things. I have always loved watching rodeos, so I decided to see what it was all about.”
Bailie competes in the barrel racing and pole bending on a 10-year-old bay mare named Lainey. She acquired the mare slightly more than three years ago and started working on pole bending last spring. Rodeo has taught Bailie to “be humble about any situation” and to work hard towards her goals.
Rodeoing in the Utah High School Rodeo Association has shaped Bailie into the focused, determined athlete she is. “At first it was frustrating because I wanted to be as good as everyone else. But I have learned not to worry about everyone else and to focus on becoming better and growing as a team with my horse.”
She loves that rodeo gives her a chance to spend time with her family and friends. “My father travels for his work, so the weekends at the rodeo is really the only time we get to be together as a family. We bring our portable campfire and sit around with friends after the rodeo. We have s’ mores every weekend and laugh and play. Some of my best memories are at the rodeo.”
Bailie’s hero is her mother. “She has taught me hard work, and that I should never give up. She helps me achieve my dreams.”
She lives by the saying, “Work hard in silence and let your success make the noise.” To Bailie it is important to “be humble about the progress you make and how hard you are working because when people see you in the arena, they will know how hard you’ve been working.” One day Bailie would like to be remembered as an outgoing person who would “help everyone and stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.”
Bailie would like to thank her parents for the hours of time and effort that they have given to help make her dreams come true. “Their constant support of my rodeo dreams and the hours they have put in to make this all possible really humbles me. I’m grateful for them and I love them.”
