By Lily Weinacht
Garrett Uptain finished his junior year in the CSHSRA with his first qualification for the NHSFR. He entered Nationals as the 2015 CSHSRA Reserve Saddle Bronc Riding Champion, and finished 15th in the world standings. “I made it to the short go, and I was really happy with how I did up there,” says the 17 year old from Craig, Colo. “I used to watch my brother compete there, so finally being part of Nationals was a pretty cool, interesting experience. Outside of the performances, I really enjoyed going to the trade show, and just being around so many people that take rodeo so seriously!”
Born into rodeo, Garrett’s dad, Rick Uptain, rode bareback horses, and his mom, Kim Moon, ran barrels and team roped. Garrett found his own niche, team roping often as a heeler at junior rodeos and the NLBRA, before joining the CJHSRA and adding steer riding to his list of events. He qualified for the NJHFR in seventh and eighth grade in the bull riding, then started riding saddle broncs his freshman year of high school. “My favorite event is between bull riding and saddle bronc riding, but I also like team roping for the all-around aspect, and that fact that I grew up roping,” says Garrett. He has roped with Mariah Dermody the last two years, but is searching for a new partner since she graduated this year. He adds, “When I first started riding saddle broncs, it was hard to bounce back and forth between bull riding and be competitive at both, but I’ve figured out how to jump back and forth between the two.” Garrett enters in all three events at all of his high school rodeos, and focuses on his roughstock events for CPRA and amateur rodeos.
“I love the sport of rodeo, and the atmosphere and meeting new people,” says Garrett. “It’s something I’ve grown up in, and I’d much rather rodeo than sit around at home! My mom and dad and brother have helped me out a bunch through rodeoing. Last year when I had several injuries, they really helped keep me positive. We’re good friends with John Forbes and his sons, Morgan and Sandy, and they have a really good pen of practice horses in Casey (Wyo.) that I’ll ride. The Forbes really know what they’re talking about. They’ve helped me a bunch, and I’d also like to thank Wendy McKee.”
Garrett and his family run a cattle ranch outside of Hayden, along with keeping numerous horses. These include several of Garrett’s younger roping horses that he is seasoning. His current mount in the team roping is a seven-year-old bay gelding. “Depending on the weekend, I take different roping horses to get them exposed to the crowds,” he explains.
Now a senior at Moffat County High School, Garrett is playing football on his school’s team, the Bulldogs, and especially enjoys his Ag. classes. He is eager to graduate next spring, however, and plans to college rodeo. His brother, Wyatt Uptain (20), used to college rodeo for Oklahoma Panhandle State University in saddle bronc riding and team roping, and is now competing in the PRCA.
When he’s not rodeoing or finishing homework, Garrett can be found working on the ranch. This summer, he and his friends took a boat to Steamboat Lake, or just relaxed with a fishing pole in hand. Garrett finds rodeo just as fun, however, and says, “I’d like to make it into the top ten at Nationals next year and even win the World. Then I’d like to go to college and keep on rodeoing!”
