story by Lily Weinacht
As an Elbert Jr. High School rising senior, Cauy Pennington lives a pretty well-rounded life. He lives on his family’s Kiowa, Colorado ranch with parents, Cevey and Ashley, and brother Cole, 20, where they raise Black Angus cattle; and besides the ranching and rodeo lifestyle, has been involved in wrestling and football. “I’ve been wrestling since I was in first grade, and also play defensive end for my high school football team.” Cauy is quite the all-around cowboy, competing in the light rifle competition in the Colorado High School Rodeo Association, where he is also a team roper, tie down roper, and saddlebronc rider.
Starting out as a heeler and breakaway roper in 3rd grade, Cauy competed in junior rodeos and started with the Colorado Junior High Rodeo Association as a 6th grader. His sophomore year of high school, Cauy qualified for the national finals in Rock Springs, Wyoming, in saddlebronc riding, team roping, and light rifle, and he finished at the NHSFR as the 22nd place saddlebronc rider in the country. Cauy was glad to finish his junior year as the 2019 CSHSRA Champion Saddlebronc Rider after winning the second round and short round at the CSHSRA state finals. He also won the first round and short round in light rifle and he will be traveling back to the National Finals High School Rodeo in July to compete in both events.
Cauy’s dad rode saddlebroncs through college and although he quit competing before Cauy was born, he’s been happy to help Cauy with his technique. “My dad helps me a bunch with riding broncs, as well as Jace Angus. And I’m really glad to have neighbors, Clint Lay and Roger Huffman, who have both helped me with my roping events.”
Looking to his final year with the CSHSRA next season, Cauy will be heeling for Jhett Alapai, who has been heading for him the past couple seasons in the Colorado Junior Rodeo Association, and he’ll be heeling on his 6-year-old buckskin gelding that he purchased this year. He’ll continue to rope calves on Cutter, a 15-year-old bay gelding that he’s had for 5 years. Cauy’s favorite thing about rodeo is being around his friends. “Rodeo is just a lot of fun. My favorite event is saddlebronc riding because it’s such an adrenaline rush. One of my favorite rides was at nationals last year on a big grey horse, and I ended up 9th place in the first round, that was a lot of fun.” He likes being a part of the CSHSRA because of the good people in the association that are always there to help when you need it. “The CSHSRA has really good stock, and it has been great rodeoing with them the past 6 years. I’m looking forward to my senior year, but I will probably miss it when I’m done.” Cauy is looking forward to being involved in making decisions in the CSHSRA as the 2019/2020 youth board president.
“I have a busy schedule but it’s not too hard to manage.” Cauy has had the example of time management set before him, as his parents juggle a busy lifestyle as well. Besides their cattle ranch, Cevey works in real estate, and Ashley works as a flight attendant for United Airlines. Cauy hopes to go to college once he graduates and would like to college rodeo while likely studying for an ag business degree. “One day, I’d like to ranch like my parents have.”
For now, Cauy spends time watching some of his favorite saddle bronc riders, Wade Sundell, Cort Scheer, and Tom Reeves; and spends time practicing on his spur board every night. “I love to watch Wade, Cort, and Tom ride because they ride very well and always make it look really fun. I’m practicing hard, but not trying to change anything up too much before nationals. I am just getting on more horses and really trying to focus on making the 5-hour trip to Wyoming soon.”
