Meet the Member Magdalena Lujan
story by Lindsay Humphrey Before Magdalena Lujan was ever born, she already had her first horse. She was destined to love horses from the very […]
Makayla Henson - PoundingHoovesProductions.com
story by Lindsay King
No matter the number of steps propelling her backward, Makayla Henson knows the step forward will always be bigger. It’s this sage advice that has gotten the 16-year-old from Belen, New Mexico, through the highs and lows of both life and rodeo. “My parents (Abe and Christine) competed in rodeo when they were younger, so it was in my blood. They took a break from it for a bit and when I was 8 years old my dad bought me a pony. It just took off from there,” said the 2019-2020 NMHSRA queen. Proper horsemanship was important to Makayla from the very beginning, which is why it took her awhile to do more than just ride at home.
She started out with halter and trail classes in her local 4-H club. Makayla was exposed to barrel racing through her trainer at the time. She took up rodeo full time just four years ago as a result. “My trainer’s wife used to run barrels and I really wanted to try it. My trainer taught me all the basics and how to make my own horses.” Makayla is still making barrel runs with the horse she first took through the clover leaf pattern. This rodeo queen isn’t just a one-trick wonder though, she also enjoys competing in pole bending. However, the queen contest is her favorite aspect of rodeo.
“Not only are you getting to compete in rodeo in the queen contest, but you are also getting to tell people about it.” Makayla has her mom to thank for introducing her to the world of rodeo queening. “My mom wanted me to get into it so I could grow my confidence as a rider and a person after I had a bad fall on a horse that year.” At 11 years old, Makayla found herself in a deep ditch with an older horse that struggled to get back to high ground. Makayla was thrown off in the incident and even though the physical scares were minimal the accident certainly left a mark on the young rider. Christine was right on track when she suggested Makayla run for the Bosque Farms Rodeo Princess title in 2017. Not only did Makayla win the title, but it also led her to run for the Valencia County Rodeo Princess title in 2018 where she met her role model: Staci Trehern.
Staci was Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2016 and finished as second runner up at Miss Rodeo America. “She’s been a really big inspiration for me because she taught me that anything is possible and that I can handle whatever life throws at me.” Staci is a talented colt starter and even broke Makayla’s coming filly this year. “Competing for a rodeo queen title really taught me how to be a well-rounded individual. I have loved getting to travel all over the country to promote not only rodeo in New Mexico but also high school rodeo in general.” Just six weeks after Makayla was crowned at last year’s NMHSRA finals, she headed to nationals to compete for the NHSRA queen title.
Out of 42 state queens, Makayla placed seventh overall, won Miss Congeniality and was 11th in the horsemanship. “I bought a horse a month before nationals and I planned to use her for the contest. I brought my barrel horse as a backup. Once we saw how small the arena was, we switched to my barrel horse. I was really proud of her for placing so well in the horsemanship.” Even though her rodeo season was cut short this spring, Makayla is looking forward to competing at state finals again for her chance to head to nationals in all of her events and once again represent the New Mexico as the NMHSRA queen.
story by Lindsay Humphrey Before Magdalena Lujan was ever born, she already had her first horse. She was destined to love horses from the very […]
Story by Lindsay Humphrey Going into state finals this year, Wacey Trujillo already had the year-end goat tying title in her pocket. Despite her significant […]
story by Lindsay Humphrey Seventeen-year-old Maddilyn Sherwood set out during the fall season with her 15-year-old brother, Louk, in the passenger seat. The pair is, […]
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October 11, 2020
Bareback
Lumpkin Tekota 40
Saddle Bronc
Charleston Oistin 20
Reined Cow Horse
Mitchell Sterlin 75
Priest Colton 68.5
Brandon Paige 55.5
Shiver McKinzee 51
Lynch Fayth 47.5
Harwell Clate 46.5
Morris Abby 18
Boys Cutting
Mitchell Sterlin 58
Priest Colton 45
Harwell Clate 42
Mirabal Joren 15
Team Roping
Hernandez Chilly 63
Montoya Juan 63
Candelaria Faron 63
Taylor Calvin 63
Mendiaz Luis 32
Reno Weslynn 32
Johnson Dakota 29.5
Ybarra Meason 29.5
Oldfield Roan 29
Runyan Colten 29
Martinez Laramie 24
Martinez Myles 24
Wood Trent 23
Martinez Cade 22
Oder Hadlee 19
Sullivan Quincy 19
Reno Bladen 15
Abel Rylee Grace 15
Mathis Dillon 15
Harwell Clate 14
Breakaway
Segura Evann 38
Sullivan Quincy 35
McCormick Tiffanie 34.5
Marr Shaeden 32
Jodie Kadin 30
Ledesma Avery 24.5
Abel Rylee Grace 23
Shiver McKinzee 23
Massey Bailey 22
Reno Weslynn 21
Bull Riding
Juarez Marco 36.5
Griego Cade 36
Griego Caleb 28
Garley Clay 10
Wood Damien 10
Chavez Joseph 9
Huber Trenton 9
Marquez Justin 9
Taylor Peysen 7.5
Girls Cutting
Morris Abby 74
Ledesma Avery 70
Shiver McKinzee 68
Wamel Jordyn 39
Calf Roping
Pacheco Dontae 59
Wood Trent 52.5
Harwell Clate 51
Mathis Dillon 35
Mullins Hayden 31
Oder Hadlee 25
Mirabal Joren 22
Reno Bladen 20
Burton TK 19
Cline Ike 15.5
Steer Wrestling
Harwell Clate 46
Mathis Dillon 28
Griffin Samuel 27
Tsosie Tydon 18
Cline Zane 18
Henio Dorien 9
Barrels
Tidwell Hadley 63
Ledesma Avery 63
Marr Shaeden 51
Reno Weslynn 44
McNiel Payton 42.5
Abel Rylee Grace 38
Detweiler Katelyn 31
West Kylie 29
Castagnetto Mia 17
Gutierrez Maddie 12
Goat Tying
Ledesma Avery 52
Massey Bailey 52
Abel Rylee Grace 48
Larabee Natalie 47
Reed Codi 39
Tsosie Tyra 37
Shiver McKinzee 35
Marr Shaeden 34
Tidwell Hadley 33
Reno Weslynn 23
Build a Cowboy Bareback Riding
Sanchez David 10
BOYS ALL AROUND
Harwell Clate 199.5
Mitchell Sterlin 138
Priest Colton 113.5
Mathis Dillon 78
Wood Trent 75.5
Candelaria Faron 66
Hernandez Chilly 63
Montoya Juan 63
Taylor Calvin 63
Pacheco Dontae 59
GIRLS ALL AROUND
Ledesma Avery 243.5
Shiver McKinzee 200
Marr Shaeden 180
Abel Rylee Grace 168
Reno Weslynn 153
Morris Abby 101
Tidwell Hadley 96
Wamel Jordyn 88
Massey Bailey 74
Detweiler Katelyn 72
BOYS ROOKIE ALL AROUND
Lumpkin Tekota 40
Mullins Hayden 31
Cline Ike 26.5
Martinez Laramie 24
Martinez Cade 22
Tsosie Tydon 18
Dennis Walker 18
Boutwell Brock 11
Wood Damien 10
Sanchez David 10
GIRLS ROOKIE ALL AROUND
Wamel Jordyn 88
Miller Teagan 50
Jodie Kadin 40
Tsosie Tyra 37
Ybarra Riley 34
Littleton Morgan 34
Etsitty Erin 26
Castagnetto Mia 23
Offutt Addy 23
Washburn Teagan 21