story by Riata Cummings
Natalie and Kerry Jenson are the proud parents of Destiny Jenson, a 17-year-old senior and rodeo athlete. They also have three sons, Layne, Bronxton, and Jagger, and together they live in Cedar City, Utah. Destiny enjoys competing at jackpot ropings with her father, and the family spends time together in the beautiful mountains surrounding their home. Destiny works part-time at Milt’s Stage Stop, as well as riding outside horses. She is a member of the National FFA Organization and has competed in the Horse Judging, Livestock Judging, and Agricultural Sales Career Development Events, even as a member of the state winning team for sales. She also enjoys spending time with her friends or doing anything outdoors. After graduating from Canyon View High School, Destiny would like to attend college and obtain her Agricultural Business degree before going on to work for a large ranch or agricultural corporation.
Destiny has ridden horses for as long as she can remember, competing in her first rodeo at only 7-years-old. She is a header in the team roping event, as well as competing in the breakaway roping and pole bending. Her favorite event is the breakaway where she must hone her skills as an individual. She enjoys the challenge of becoming a team with her horse and exercising her ability as a roper. Her main mount is the 14-year-old gelding, Dunny. The horse is always willing to follow her lead and give it his all but is well-tempered enough to be trusted with riders of all skill levels. During rodeo season, Destiny practices every chance she gets, usually 4 or 5 times a week. She has won little rodeos here and there and has placed in the breakaway roping every year since she started competing in the Utah High School Rodeo Association. This year she hopes to be in the top 15 by state finals and to finish her high school career on a high note.
Rodeo has taught Destiny to never give up on the things you want. She knows that there are good and bad days in rodeo, but the important thing is to remember why you started and not to get discouraged. She knows that if you want something bad enough, you will do what is necessary to make it happen. Rodeo has helped Destiny develop the kind of grit and determination needed to find success in and out of the rodeo. She has learned to focus her attention and push for one goal at a time, always aligning her priorities with her passions. Destiny would like to continue rodeoing after high school and hopes to compete at World Series ropings whenever she can.
Destiny’s hero is her father, whose support, encouragement and coaching has helped her become the competitor she is today. She is grateful for her rodeo advisor, Nikki Sanderson, for doing all the behind-the-scenes work that makes rodeo possible. Destiny would like to thank her parents for their constant support and for the opportunity to compete in Utah High School Rodeo.
