story by Riata Cummings
Maddie Gillett is the daughter of Suzanne and Charles Gillett of Oakley, Utah. She has an older brother, Quinn, and as a family they spend their time hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling the state for rodeo. Maddie is a senior attending South Summit High School, where she enjoys her EMT class, as well as English and agriculture courses. When she isn’t busy rodeoing, Maddie works at Matt’s Automotive changing tires during the week and at the Rockport State Park on the weekend. After graduating high school, Maddie would like to attend college and study to become a paramedic or something in the same field.
Maddie started participating in rodeo her eighth grade year after her brother’s involvement in the sport piqued her interest. Initially she competed in the light rifle shooting event, and added breakaway roping, goat tying, and team roping to the list when she became a Utah High School Rodeo Association member. The light rifle shooting is still her favorite, and she has qualified for nationals three times in the event, finishing in the top ten the past two years. This year she would like to take the state title and return to the National High School Finals Rodeo. She would also like to qualify for state finals in the goat tying and make it to the short go in the breakaway roping.
Maddie uses her brother’s head horse, Flash, to head for Colton Carter. She uses Chicklet for the breakaway roping and her goat tying horse is another old rope horse, Rip. All three horses have big, willing hearts and help Maddie get the job done.
Rodeo has taught Maddie the importance of having a good support system, and she knows that no matter what happens in the arena there will be people there to cheer her on or cheer her up. Rodeo has given her the opportunity to develop many new friendships and to become part of the high school rodeo family. Rodeo has helped her overcome her fear of performing in front of people, in part because of the supportive and encouraging atmosphere at Utah’s high school rodeos. Rodeo has reinforced Maddie’s work ethic and shown her the value of dedication. She lives by the saying, “I do what I do, and I do it my best”. She knows that if you love the things you do, you will be willing to do whatever it takes to do it well.
Maddie’s parents are her heroes, and she looks up to them for always being willing to help. One day she would like to be remembered as person others can rely on when they need help. Maddie is grateful for the opportunity to rodeo and would like to thank the friends and family that have helped her and continue to help her as she travels down the rodeo road.
