Story by Laramie Dearing
Son of Chris and Katy Meador, meet our next up and coming cowboy, Cooper Meador! This ranch hand is 17 years old and currently resides atop the Edwards Plateau in El Dorado, Texas.
“You don’t lose if you get knocked down, you lose if you stay down.” Cooper prides himself in his resilience and will to succeed both in and out of the arena.“I am a part of the American Junior Rodeo Association, West Texas Rodeo Association, and Texas High School Rodeo Association. I’ve been a proud member of the American Junior Rodeo family for six years and I have loved every minute of it. I compete in calf roping and team roping. I also like throwing my hat in the ring at ranch rodeos here and there.”
Cooper’s life is built upon a substantial foundation of rodeo. “For as long as I can remember I’ve constantly had a rope in my hand. Being a part of rodeo, it felt like everything fell right into place. With my favorite horse, my mare Junior, it all came naturally. She’s my good heel horse and she steps up every time I need her to. With good horses on your team and a lot of practice, being competitive comes routinely. I enjoy the sport of rodeo because of the life long, valuable friendships I have made so far and will continue to make throughout my career. Outside of competing, I look forward to spending quality time with my buddies and making the most of every memory. ”
Practice evolves into a permanent procedure and it is no surprise how well Cooper carries that statement. “I was the 2019 American Junior Rodeo Association World Champion Optional Calf Roper, I am also a Texas High School Rodeo Association National Finals Qualifier in the team roping event. Personally the most essential values in the world of rodeo is being an excellent horseman and understanding the needs of your livestock and horses. Another is being there for your buddies in times of both great success and tough trials. For me the greatest win on my behalf was winning the Optional Calf Roping title at the 2019 American Junior Rodeo World Finals. It was a tough year for me and winning that title was proof of my hard work to overcome that.”
Cooper is currently a senior and competes in football and track. “I would like to go to college and compete in college rodeo for a couple of years while getting a degree in ranch management. I am hoping to become a successful rancher, I have never known anything different and I have fallen in love with the lifestyle of a rancher. It would be really neat to have a job that you love and can do with your family and friends.” Cooper is a young man made of determination, humility, and faith. “My favorite bible verse in times of doubt is, 2 Samuel 22:3-4. ‘My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; You save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”
