story by Lindsay Humphrey
If you’re lucky to be up before Cheyenne Johnson in the barrels, you’re going to get a show from her spunky mare named Fancy. “She has a big personality and always wants to be the center of attention. She’ll rub on other horses just before her run because she thinks she’s friends with everyone,” said the 13-year-old from Moundridge, Kansas. This dynamic duo got together only 18 months ago, but they’re certainly jiving as Fancy is not only a competitive mount in the barrels and goat tying but also as a rodeo queen horse.
“My mom (Liz) was a past Kansas high school rodeo queen,” Cheyenne said. “I don’t remember how I got started in my first pageant, but I do remember showing up and competing at it.” That was at just 7 years old and Cheyenne walked away with her first princess title in hand. “From then on I was hooked, and I’ve continued to compete in pageants and rodeo ever since.” Coincidently, it was another rodeo queen, Lakin Cunningham, who helped Cheyenne find her place in the rodeo world. “She was one of my really big role models who helped me get into other associations (NLBRA and KJHSRA). Without her I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Currently Cheyenne represents the KJHSRA as their princess, it’s the first year the association has offered the opportunity of this title. “My parents are both really supportive. My mom was a rodeo queen, so she’s super helpful with all of that. And so is my dad (Jay), he understands the queening struggle. Whenever we go to the trailer to get ready, he opts to sit outside.” Even though her dad travels all over the country frequently for work, he rarely misses an event. “He’s always there for all my school concerts and rodeo things. It’s really nice that he’s able to make it home for those things.”
Although Cheyenne appreciates her strong support system, she’s also grown fond of the independence she’s developed through rodeo. “Even though there’s always people there to help, I’ve really learned how to take care of myself and gained the independence I’ll need as an adult.” At the last junior high rodeo of the fall season, Cheyenne’s goat horse came up lame. Her rodeo family swooped in to save the day. “I had so many people offering to let me use their horse and it just meant so much to me that they were all willing to help me out. It’s kind of a cliché, but it’s the truth that the people you meet in rodeo become like a big family.”
Despite the friendly atmosphere, the competition in the KJHSRA is fierce. “It’s really competitive and most of the time the junior high girls are running faster than the high school. It really gets you prepared for nationals because you know what you need to be running.” These lightning fast times are helping prepare Cheyenne to meet some of her big goals for this rodeo season. Of course, one of those is to qualify for junior high nationals next summer, but the other is coming up quickly. “This December I’ll be competing at the All In Barrel Race down in Stephenville, Texas. I’m just really hoping to make it to the short go this time.” Back in 2018, Cheyenne competed in this barrel race when it was still in Vegas.
While in Vegas, Cheyenne had several unique experiences thanks to her time as a rodeo queen and the people she’s met as a result. “I got to sign autographs at the Rhinestone Lipgloss booth. And I was able to meet Miss Rodeo America 2019 Taylor McNair. She had just gotten her autograph sheets and so I got the very first one she ever signed. That was really fun.”
