story by Lindsay King
“Going into state finals I was on the bubble and then I had two really good rounds. I was in third and all I had to do was get my short round calf tied,” said Cade Figg. In an instant, Cade’s dreams of his first trip to Nationals in his favorite event were dashed. “I missed my short round calf, I think because of a lack of focus and determination. It only knocked me out by one or two points. I went back home and started working harder.” It was this lesson learned back in May that Cade understood the phrase: “get knocked down seven times and stand up eight.” This Clovis, New Mexico, cowboy has experienced his share of the roller coaster ride that is rodeo, but this was one of the toughest heart breaks yet.
The 13 year old competed in his first rodeo when he was six. He wasn’t just roping a dummy though, he was chasing a full-fledged calf. “Ever since I was young, all I can remember doing is riding horses and roping calves and the dummy.” Cade’s dad, Ryan, grew up roping and started all three of his sons – Colter, 18, Cade, and Cross, 10 – at an early age. “My siblings are out it in the practice pen every day too, they both rope with me. I always have a partner for the team roping.”
In addition to heeling and tying calves, Cade also competes in the ribbon roping. “My older brother helps me out a lot, he shows me what I need to do to get better.” Cade gets to be the older, wiser brother for Cross and enjoys helping him as much as he can. “My mom (Lauri) is super supportive. My parents both make sure I display good character both inside and out of the arena.”
One other family member has made a tremendous impact on Cade as he advances in his roping. “My cousin Logan is a professional team roper and he went to Eastern New Mexico University in the town next to ours. He came over all the time and he would give me tips when I was first learning.” Now that Logan lives in Stephenville, Texas, Cade doesn’t get as much help in person. “I still send him videos and he gives me tips, but it’s not as much as it used to be.” Each year, Cade travels to Abilene, Texas, for the OTRA finals. “It is a whole week of just team roping down there. Besides the junior high rodeos, that is my favorite event of the whole year.”
Even though Cade enjoys heeling, tie-down is his favorite event without question. “It’s more of a personal event; it’s just me against the clock.” It’s also the most physically demanding of the three. “It makes me work a lot harder. From the point of dismounting to running down and flanking the calf, it’s all equally difficult.” As Cade works to become a top-notch tier, his flanking form is what he focuses on the most. “Getting the flanking correct determines how well I flank those bigger calves.”
Two years ago, Cade experienced one of his highest highs. “I think I won seven saddles in just one summer. Everything was really going my way that year. It was in the HPJRA and some other open junior rodeos in New Mexico.” Despite how state finals turned out this year, the NMJHSRA is still this eighth grader’s favorite place to compete. “There are a lot of places in New Mexico that I would have never seen if it wasn’t for rodeo. The competition really pushes me to be at the top of my game. That makes it more challenging and that makes it fun because it gets interesting really quick.” Cade isn’t exactly sure what he wants to do when he grows up but he knows he wants to continue to rodeo. “I want to college rodeo and maybe get a business degree. I am thinking about starting my own business, one that is similar to NRS.”
