story by Lily Weinacht
Jace Logan from Yampa, Colorado, is leading the steer wrestling and all-around standings in the CSHSRA. The 18-year-old comes by his love of horses through his parents, Mark and Jeannie Logan, who competed in reining. Jace and his brothers found their niche in the horse world through rodeo, starting with the NLBRA and climbing the ranks of junior high and high school rodeo. “I have many goals and I want to be successful,” says Jace. “Rodeo is one of my passions, and I look at it as, I get to go practice and I get to go to rodeos and see how I can compete against others. I want to see how far I can go in it.”
His dedication has already taken him to the NHSFR three times, where Jace finished in the top 20 in the nation in each of his qualifying events. This summer, he finished 18th in the steer wrestling, and also competed in tie-down roping and working cow horse. “I look forward to making the national finals in Wyoming. We work hard towards that all year long, and if you qualify for that, it’s really rewarding. Hopefully I can make it this year too.” Jace also competes in team roping with his 15-year-old brother, Kody, who is a heeler. While his older brother, Eric, now 20, was in junior high and high school rodeo, Jace competed in team roping and dally ribbon roping with him, and the brothers were crowned the NLBRA dally ribbon roping world champions in 2012.
“I would definitely say steer wrestling is my favorite,” says Jace. “I have a really good mentor—world champion Chad Bedell lives in my area, so I get to meet with him a lot. He makes you tougher because you don’t want to mess up in front of him, and in competition, he really teaches you the mental side of things. I also look up to my older brother and my dad. They’ve really helped me out, getting me down the road and pushing me to be a better competitor and horseman, and in all aspects of rodeo. I have to thank them and all of my family for their support.”
Thanks to Eric, who brought home Gray from college rodeo this year, Jace was able to ride the gray gelding at the NHSFR and fall rodeos after his other steer wrestling horse retired. Skeeter, an all-around horse that Jace heads off of, was raised on the Logan’s ranch, while Jace ropes calves on a bay roan mare, Pepper, and enters the working cow horse on CD, who was also raised on the family ranch. Jace and his brothers help their family run 2,000 head of cattle in the summer, and they also raise market steers to show in 4-H. When there’s time to spare from ranching, they also enjoys hunting and fishing together.
A senior year at Soroco High School, Jace has worked through a number of college classes already. He plans to college rodeo and study agriculture business. Playing linebacker and running back for his high school’s team, the Rams, also keeps him on his toes. “This year is going really well. I play football on Friday nights and then get in the truck and drive through the night and rodeo all day Saturday and Sunday,” explains Jace, who was a National Junior All American football player in 2017. “We’re always busy, whether it’s a wrestling tournament, a football game, or a rodeo, so we just keep moving and have fun doing it.
“One of my goals is to win the all-around cowboy and steer wrestling state titles. I’d like to be competitive in college, and next summer I get to start PRCA rodeoing. I’d like to fill my permit and get my card, and just see how far I can make it.”
