story by Riata Cummings
Race Gordon is the 13-year-old son of Kevin and Dawnette Gordon of Huntington, Utah. Race has an older brother, Ty, and recently gained a new sister-in-law, Shadleigh. He has an older sister, Erin Behling, and her and her husband Taylor have a son named Kase. They spend a lot of time together working the cows on the ranch and at rodeos, and especially like to rope together. Race in an eighth grader at Canyon View Middle School where his favorite classes include FACS and history. He also enjoys building things or working with his hands. Eventually he would like to pursue a career where he can work hands-on as a welder, engineer, or carpenter.
Race’s father rodeoed in high school, and both of his parents were raised around horses. Race has loved roping since he was little, and it was natural for him to follow his siblings into the rodeo world. Now he competes in team roping, chute dogging, tiedown roping, and ribbon roping. He seems to always have a rope in his hand and team roping is still his favorite event, but tiedown is gaining more and more of his favor. He uses his big brother’s horse, Duster, for team roping, and a horse named B for roping calves. Duster is the favorite of the two and makes Race’s job easier. Race practices at least twice a week at their home arena and can usually be found helping on the ranch with the cows.
He won his first buckle team roping with his mom and has since won two saddles team roping. He has qualified for the Utah Junior High School Finals Rodeo every year as a member, and this year he hopes to be sitting in the top 10 in each of his events before state finals. So far, his favorite rodeo has been the St. George Jr. High show, where the warm weather and beautiful arena make for a memorable experience. Rodeo has taught Race to work hard for the things he wants, and he has seen the products of dedication.
Race’s hero is his father, who always pushes Race to improve and be his best. Kevin has taught Race everything he knows about rodeo and has shown him how to work hard. Race lives by the saying, “Be the best that you can be”. He knows that rodeo is about self-improvement and, win or lose, there is always fun to be had. He believes that it isn’t about where you finish if you give it your all. Race would like to be known as someone who worked hard to improve and always found the fun in life and rodeo. He believes that his greatest assets are the support of the people around him and the quality of horses under him. He would like to thank his family for their encouragement and the opportunity to compete in the sport he loves.
