story by Michele Toberer
As a junior at Montezuma Cortez High School in Cortez, Colorado, much of 16-year-old David Jones’ time is focused on rodeo. He has been a member of the Colorado High School Rodeo Association since he was a 6th grader competing first in breakaway roping, then tie down, ribbon roping, and goat tying. Now in his 6th year of competition with the association, he is excited about this season’s start in tiedown roping and team roping as well as serving as student board member for the first time. “I had a great first rodeo this season and am hoping to qualify for nationals this year. I’m heeling for Cooper Smith this season and looking forward to a great year in both my events.”
David lives in Dolores, Colorado with his mom and stepdad, Stephanie and Shelby Rowe, and has a stepbrother, Pacen Rowe, who also competed in the CSHSRA association along with him before graduating last year. The family runs an insurance agency, and Rowe & Sons Trash, where David works part-time. “I work after school at the trash company, welding dumpsters to make repairs or helping with whatever needs done.” The Rowes also raise Angus beef cattle and in the summer, David helps with many of the ranching chores; checking waters and caring for the livestock at the multiple locations they have them pastured. “We have a cow/calf operation and raise all-natural organic beef.” David’s dad, Justin Jones, lives in Farmington, New Mexico where he works in the oil fields.
David is involved in Future Farmers of America and takes part in many of the ag mechanics and welding projects in the club. His favorite classes are his agriculture and math classes. After graduating, David hopes to attend Weatherford College in Weatherford, Texas to pursue a degree in ranch management along with a welding degree while competing in college rodeo.
Before David moved from New Mexico to Colorado when he was 9, David’s uncle, Will Gilbert, who was a team roper, taught him how to rope. “I competed in some rodeos there, but once I moved to Colorado, I was a little more immersed in the lifestyle and really got more serious about competing when I started in the junior high division of CSHSRA. In 7th grade I won my first buckle ever for placing 4th in the state in tiedown roping and went to Lebanon, Tennessee for the national finals.”
David competes on Colonel Foreplay, his 7-year-old sorrel gelding, in both tiedown roping and heeling. “It depends on the day, but we either call him Colonel, or Foreplay. We’ve had him for two years and when we bought him, he was started on calf roping but hadn’t been started in the box, so we’ve done all that work with him.” David is inspired by professional ropers like the legendary Cooper family and has developed a relationship with Roy, Tuf, Clif, Clint and the rest of the family as he has attended their family roping schools and spent time at their ranch roping with them. While there he’s also received help with his horsemanship from Robert Johnson, known as R.J., and he appreciates all that he and the Coopers have all done to take him under their wing. He also appreciates all his stepdad’s help with his rodeo career, horsemanship, and the mental aspect of competition. “I try to rope the dummy before I compete and look at the arena while I visualize my run. I like to look at the stock and talk to the stock contractor to get his opinion of the cattle.”
David is looking forward to being a more active part of the association with his role as a student board member. “We’ll get to attend meetings and help make decisions on national shirts, stock contractors for state finals, and help put on fundraisers.”
David appreciates the support he receives from sponsors that partner with him as he aspires to achieve all of his rodeo dreams: Tuf Kaf, Tres Rios Silver, Branded Embroidery, OE Nutraceuticals, and 9 Lazy 3 Knives & Leather. David gives all the honor and glory to God!
