story by Laurie Dineen
Coy Evans lives outside of Yuma, CO with his parents Chris and Megan and 3 younger siblings – Cash and Cassidy (12 yr. old twins) and Cross (6 yrs. old). “My dad works for Hickert’s managing cow/calf and feedlot operation, but we all pitch in and help out when we can,” Coy said.
Coy began competing in the CJRA in 2015 in the Jr. Boy division and ended the 2018 year – his last year as a Jr. Boy – 3rd All-Around Jr. Boy. He had a great year and at the CJRA Finals, he was 1st in the assisted calf tying event – the first time this event was offered; 6th in breakaway and ribbon roping and 7th in team roping as a heeler.
At 14 yrs. old, Coy will move up to the Sr. Boys division this year and is looking forward to it. “I will be competing in the open team roping with partner Kodi Hoss, mixed team roping with partner Jacobi Larson, ribbon roping with Jacobi and the Parent/Child team roping with my dad,” said Coy. “Even though I did so well in the assisted calf tying event last year, I decided to hold off a year for the tie-down roping so I can get a little more practice and experience under my belt. It’s a tough sport and I want to make sure I’m ready – both physically and mentally.”
The CJRA has offered the Evans’ a great family atmosphere where the entire family can be involved. “Last year my little brother, Cross, competed in the PeeWee division, and the twins and I competed in the Jr. division. This year my parents will be very busy having all of us kids in each division but we all will pitch in and help out,” said Coy. “I really like that about CJRA and they pay good too!” Coy also competes as the CSJHRA where he is currently 1st in tie down, 2nd in team roping and splitting 2/3 in the shooting.
Along with his siblings, Coy is home schooled. “We do our school work from 8 – 12 in the morning and have the afternoons free to rope, practice our events or pitch in around the ranch,” he said. “We try to practice as much as possible. Our whole family participates. My dad rodeoed since college and quite when he started hauling us kids to rodeos, but he ropes with us kids at the CJRA rodeos heeling for Cash and Cassidy and heading for me. At home, we all rope together and help each other with our events so we can continue to get better. It really is a team effort.”
Coy has 2 horses that he uses for rodeo and ranching on. “Pepsi is an 8yr. old gelding I use to tie down and breakaway. He’s been a lot of fun to ride and is good at his job. Facebook is my heeling horse. He’s a 4 yr. old that I have been riding and started roping off him last year. He seems to like his job and is working really good.” When not practicing or rodeoing, Coy will use his horses on the ranch. “It is good to keep them busy with other things besides arena work,” he said. “It frees them up and makes them more well-rounded.” However, Coy doesn’t spend all his time riding only his rodeo horses. “The Hickert’s (Roger and Diane) have horses that we help train, ride and use on the ranch. We will also use them to compete on and help sell. They are really amazing people!”
Coy’s goals for this year at CJRA rodeos is to be the best person he can be – inside and outside the arena. “I want to be a great person and a good role model for the younger kids of this rodeo family which I am proud to be a member of,” said Coy. “I look forward to the increased level of competition in the Sr. Boys division and spending time with the friends I have made.”
When not rodeoing, Coy enjoys roping, ranching, riding horses and hunting (mainly birds and coyotes). “I really enjoy being outdoors and feel blessed for my family and the life we have,” remarked Coy. “I would like to thank first and foremost my Lord and Savior, my mom and dad, my siblings, my grandparents (both Longfellow and Evans), the Hickert family, and everyone else who has supported me and helped me get to this point in my life.”
We look forward to watching Coy as he pursues his ambitions in and out of the rodeo arena.
