story by Lindsay King
An inaugural trip to nationals was everything, and more, that Cutter Cain worked for in his seventh-grade season. “I didn’t rope very well in the breakaway at a couple of rodeos, so at state I had to catch my last calf and win the round to make it to nationals,” said the gritty Milburn, Oklahoma, cowboy. That’s exactly what happened. Cutter also managed to qualify for nationals in the ribbon roping with his partner, Kennedee Bickerstaff. In a matter of only three days, this all came crashing down for Cutter a couple weeks after nationals.
It was a Friday night that Cutter won a saddle at the Berry Burk 15 & Under Breakaway Roping. The following Monday, Cutter was roping when he stepped off his horse, tripped and broke his wrist. “There is no way I can get the cast off before nationals. Luckily, my ribbon roping partner still gets to go with nationals but she will run for the roper who took fifth place.” Despite getting knocked down, Cutter isn’t letting this set back tear him up. “You have a lot of highs and lows in rodeo, and you learn how to handle both of those. In team roping, you can have a lot of money and the next day you don’t rope as well and nothing goes your way.”
The 13-year-old is an avid header, but he also competes in breakaway, ribbons and goat tying in the OKJHSRA. He’s a number four as both a header and heeler in the USTRC. As Cutter sets his sights on next season, a big win at a junior high rodeo during the regular season is at the top of his goals list. “I am hoping to do well at the USTRC finals in OKC in October. I am looking to move my numbers up.” When Cutter is situated in the box, he puts his blinders on to block everything out so he can visualize his run. Making high-quality team roping horses is what Cutter aspires to do one day, just like his dad, Josh.
“My parents both rodeoed and my dad was in the PRCA. Rodeo is just something I have done my whole life. I rope with both my mom (Tina) and dad at jackpots sometimes.” Cutter also ropes with his younger brother, Cactus, 9. The team of four can all switch ends in the team roping as needed. This means the family needs a lot of horse power. “We raise all of our own horses and my dad trains them. I want to train horses because I like to rope and ride a lot.” Cutter finds it easier to teach a horse to make a corner and stop big in just the right spot. “In heading, you need a horse that scores really well in the box and that can rate off the steer in the right position and do that every time.”
At the beginning of the last school year, Cutter decided to be homeschooled. He likes it for the simple fact that he gets done with his work early and can go rope. “When I was in public school I played basketball. I like being homeschooled. I get to help my dad work cattle a lot.” Cain Cattle Company feeds 800 head of pre-conditioning calves. The physical aspect of rodeo is important to Cutter because it is also something Trevor Brazile spends his time on it. “Trevor is good at every event and part of that is from staying in shape. It keeps you strong and supports your balance in the saddle.”
When Cutter isn’t roping, he is active in his church and their missions in Butcher Pen, Oklahoma. “Those kids don’t get a meal every day and they don’t have much of a home life. We go down there twice a month and feed them and teach them a Sunday school lesson.”
