story by Riata Cummings
Morgan McCray is the 18-year-old daughter of Erin and Chris McCray from South Jordan, Utah. She is the oldest of their five children, the others being Chloe, Matthew, Elinor, and Dakota. Morgan does her schooling online through Mountain Heights Academy and will graduate this spring. Because she can learn on her own schedule, she is able to work full time at the near by Smith and Edwards and practice for her rodeo events. Outside of work and rodeo, she enjoys spending time cooking and going on trail rides. After high school, she would like to stay close to her horses while attending the University of Utah and studying to become a teacher.
Morgan’s mother, Erin, competed in high school rodeo when she was younger, but Morgan didn’t think she would have the chance to compete in the demanding sport. After competing in horse 4H and developing a passion for the speed events, she decided to do what was necessary to become a rodeo athlete and got a job to support the passion. Morgan started competing in the barrel racing and pole bending in August of 2016. Now her favorite event is the pole bending and she enjoys the added challenge of more obstacles and greater horsemanship. She alternates between the two horses she trained, Star and Dixie.
Rodeo has taught Morgan the value of determination and hard work. Sacrificing some of the leisure’s of adolescence, Morgan has had to be even more dedicated to her sport than the average high school athlete. Because of her hard work she has seen her horses improve and she enjoys reflecting on how far they have come. So far, her favorite rodeo was one of the Dixie 6 rodeo series, where she made a personal record. She would like to finish her high school rodeo career strong and keep improving during the spring season.
Morgan lives by the saying, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” When she first jumped into the world of rodeo, she felt out of place and underqualified. Despite the intimidating competition, she stuck with it and worked hard to find her place. Rodeo helped her develop persistence, one of her greatest strengths. Morgan knows that there will be times when your horses don’t cooperate or runs fall flat, but if you keep working you will see progress in the end. One day, Morgan would like to be known for her determination to do what she loves despite trials.
Morgan’s hero is her mother, who worked hard to finish school and be a single mother to Morgan when she was younger. She looks up to her mother’s work ethic and is grateful for Erin’s example of diligence. Morgan would like to thank her parents for their willingness to support her and for the opportunity to rodeo.
