story by Laramie Dearing
Defining his future with each swing, Colton Walters is conquering each and every one of his goals. Son of Hayden and Sylvia Walters, Colton is 16 years old from Colorado City. Brother of one of our previous outstanding athletes, Jacob Walters, Colton is walking the same bright path!
“I participate in American Junior Rodeo Association as well as Texas High School Rodeo Association, I’ve been participating in American Junior Rodeo Association since I was in the fifth grade.” He competes in team roping in American Junior Rodeo Association and tie-down and team roping in Texas High School Rodeo Association. “I enjoy rodeo because I get to hang out with friends and I get to do what I love to do.” Passion fuels success which is evident when looking at Colton’s resume. “Some of my achievements are winning the Team Roping Year End Champion and the Average Champion at the American Junior Rodeo Association Finals last year with Seaver Senter, qualifying for the Junior National Rodeo this year with Hadley White in the team roping, and making the short round at state in seventh and eighth grade at the Texas Junior High Rodeo Association State Finals. My favorite rodeo memory is taking the picture with the saddle that I won for the team roping at the American Junior Rodeo Association Finals with Seaver Senter and his saddle.” It is no surprise that this cowboy is dominating in the associations he competes in.
“I have two head horses. My horses’ names are Sidekick and Pete and I like both of them very much, and I am thankful that I have both of them. My favorite horse is Sidekick, though. I like certain things about each horse. Sidekick stands 14’2, and is built fairly stout, and he is 11 years old. Sidekick is fast and he will try his hardest no matter what. Pete stands 15 even and is 20 years old. Pete is stout and he is a lot stronger than Sidekick, but it is harder not to break out on him.” Equine help, hard work, and strong morals are three necessities every cowboy yearns.
“In my opinion, the most important value is keeping your word. If you say you’re going to do something, then do it. I believe that if someone does not keep their word, they will not be able to commit to certain things, and other people will not be able to trust them to do a task if they know that they will not keep their word.” Colton attends Westbrook High School where he is a current sophomore. “ I play football, basketball and baseball. We made the playoffs in all 3 sports. I was offensive line in football, guard in basketball, and I’m a utility player in baseball. I also participate in the National Honor Society, and I’m an FFA officer.” A young man built upon honesty and drive, he’s pursuing the broad horizon of opportunity ahead. “After high school, I plan to go to college and get a degree in Ag Business, while also being on the rodeo team. After college, I want to start a business in equine massage therapy.”
A plan in one hand and a rope in the other, his strength comes from his faith. “My favorite quote is: don’t let your past have the power to define your future. I like this quote because everyone has done things that they are not proud of, but not everyone learns from their past. They mourn about it and let it drag them down, when they should just learn from their mistake and keep on moving forward. My favorite Bible verse is Psalms 23:4, ‘ Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
