story by Lily Weinacht
Jr. Boy World Bareback Steer Riding Champion
Lathan Demontigny of Rugby, North Dakota, qualified for the 2018 NLBFR in all six of his events and left the Lazy E Arena as the Junior Boys World Bareback Steer Riding Champion. The 14-year-old also won reserve world titles in the all-around and bull riding, while he won the finals all-around and finished fourth in the world in breakaway roping. “My first year in Little Britches I came in tied for first at the finals in bareback and ended up third, and this year I went in tied for first and I was pretty confident,” says Lathan, who placed high in the first round and won the next two rounds. “I went into the short round leading it, and I won it, so I knew right away that I’d won—it was pretty exciting. I was definitely a lot more nervous on that ride, but you just have to know what you’re doing and get it done.”
Prior to the NLBFR, Lathan competed at the NJHFR in multiple events and finished ninth in the nation in the bareback steer riding. He attributes his success to many hours of hard work, and the support of his family. “I definitely look up to my parents, Kyle and Lisa Demontigny. They got me started in rodeo and found the horses I use, and my dad got me into roughstock right away. They both come out during practice, and my brother and sister always rope. I also have a bucking barrel in the back yard that me and my dad built.”
Lathan’s brother and sister, Logan (18), and Kaden (12), also compete in the NLBRA and qualified for the NLBFR, along with entering junior high and high school rodeos. This is Lathan’s first season in the senior boys division, where he’s competing in the bull riding, bareback riding, tie-down roping, and team roping as a heeler with Chance Mickelson. The two friends have roped together for several years in both Little Britches and junior high and high school rodeos, and Lathan competes on his 9-year-old mare, Rheatta, in both roping events. He’s also competing in the ribbon roping and running ribbons for Logan this season. “My favorite is definitely the roughstock,” he explains. “I like the adrenaline, and my dad did it too. He rode bulls and bareback horses.”
Although Lathan broke his collarbone while bull riding just after the NLBFR, he only had to miss a few high school rodeos and is back at the Northern Plains Little Britches. He’s had to sit out of football this season, but is still attending practices and games with his team. He also plans to play basketball and run track for Rugby High School, where he’s a freshman this fall. “I’m kind of a sporty guy, but I’m not too bad at math,” says Lathan, who spends his free time after school practicing in the arena or working out. “Being in the senior division this year for the first time, I’m making it a goal to qualify for the finals in all of my events. And the top 15 is a good goal for high school—we have 40 calf ropers up here in North Dakota. I’m planning on rodeoing pretty much as long as I can.”
