Meet the Member Joe Stoddard
story by Lillian Landreth Many a high school rodeo athlete has been shaped by Joe Stoddard’s contributions to the sport, from his blood relations to […]
Tayson Jones at the 2021 SDHSRA Finals - Cowboy images
story by Lillian Landreth
“I’ve always wanted to be good and have fun with it [rodeo] no matter what happens, and keep mentally preparing myself for every rodeo I go to,” says SDHSRA senior Tayson Jones. Tayson was invited to compete in saddle bronc riding at the 2022 20X High School Rodeo Showcase and won it. “The horse I got really jumped out from underneath me, but I just got myself in there and kept hustling, and had fun with it,” says the 18-year-old from Faith, South Dakota. He also competed at the 2021 NHSFR in saddle bronc riding.
Tayson competes in steer wrestling and team roping in the SDHSRA as well, though saddle bronc is his favorite. Tayson’s dad, Eric Jones, and uncle, DJ Martin, both rodeoed. Eric competed in saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and steer wrestling through college and the professional level. Tayson wanted to follow in their stead, beginning with 4-H rodeos when he was eight, and then on to junior rodeos. He tried his hand riding calves, but didn’t care for the event. “For whatever reason, I got to my freshman year and wanted to ride broncs. My parents didn’t think I’d have the guts to do it, but I went to the Broncs, Bulls, and Bibles school in Faith and covered my first bronc, and ever since then I’ve been hooked. I like the adrenaline rush and how everything is just so fast. You have to be really quick and alert and know what you’re doing.
“I look up to my uncle DJ Martin in the bronc riding. And my dad has always pushed me to be my best,” says Tayson. “My parents, Eric and Chasity, are a big part of helping me find a place to practice or helping me with my entry fees.” There are about five students at Faith High School who also compete in roughstock, and they practice on a bucking machine after school as much as possible. Tayson also works on his technique and muscle memory on the spurboard, then practices steer wrestling on his family’s steers in the spring and summer. “My team roping partner, Jacob Long, is a neighbor of ours, and he comes over to rope with us and practice.”
Also part of the team are Tayson’s horses, Arlo and Dunny. Tayson and his dad started Arlo several years ago. “We have a really good bond. He trusts me, and I trust him to get the job done. My team roping horse is Dunny. He’s been in the family since he was a colt, and now he’s 17. He knows his job really well—as soon as you dally, he’s turning the corner to help the heeler make a good run.” Along with practicing with his friends, Tayson also likes spending time around the fire with them on weekends, as well as helping his family run their cattle ranch.
Tayson graduated from Faith High School this spring, where he enjoyed playing football and studying history. He was also a member of FFA, and his chapter qualified for state this year in poultry. Although he didn’t finish in the top four at SDHSRA state finals this year, he’s cheering his sister Jaysee on in the goat tying at the NHSFR. Tayson plans to attend Sheridan College in Wyoming this fall and get a degree in welding, while also competing on the college rodeo team. Before that, he’s competing in 4-H state finals in saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling in August, and plans to go for rookie of the year in the SDRA and NRCA next season. “I want to try my hardest no matter what, and try to make the College Finals as well.”
story by Lillian Landreth Many a high school rodeo athlete has been shaped by Joe Stoddard’s contributions to the sport, from his blood relations to […]
story by Lillian Landreth Thayne Elshere represented South Dakota and his family’s favorite event of saddle bronc riding at the 2022 NHSFR this summer, where […]
Story By Lillian Landreth Isabel Risse stepped off her horse Princess and flanked her goat, tying her way to third place in the nation at […]
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SDHSRA PRACTICE RODEOS:
RODEO DATE ENTRY DEADLINE LOCATION
April 23-25 2021 April 12 New Underwood (at Rapid City)
April 30, May 1-2, 2021 April 15 Triple Crown Rodeos-Burke, Geddes
April 30 & May 1 Burke
May 2nd Geddes Rodeo
May 7, 8, 2021 Three Rivers Challenge – Kadoka, Wall, Philip
May 7, 2021 April 19 Kadoka 1 & 2
May 8, 2021 April 19 Philip (at Wall)
May 8, 2021 April 20 Wall
May 9, 2021 Call in Entries May 2, 3, see entry form for details Faith
May 28, 2021 May 20 White River
May 22, 2021 May 10 Martin 1 & 2
May 29, 2021 May 14 Timber Lake
May 29-30, 2021 May 21 Oelrichs 1 and 2
May 31, 2021 May 21 Clark
May 31, 2021 May 13 Lemmon
All Entry Forms can be found at sdhsra.com, forms, entry forms
REGIONAL QUALIFYING RODEOS:
Entry deadlines April 15th *YOU MUST CHECK IN BY CHECK IN TIME OR STOCK WILL NOT BE DRAWN FOR YOU!
June 4-6, 2021 Huron, Highmore, Wall, Buffalo
June 11-13, 2021 Watertown, Winner, Sturgis, Dupree
JUNE 15-19 – STATE FINALS RODEO – STANLEY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, FT PIERRE, SD
See sdhsra.com, rodeos, state finals, for detailed schedule and qualifier information. Schedule will be updated if there are schedule changes. You are entered unless you call and say you will not be coming, please do this immediately
*Queen Contest
see sdhsra.com, rodeos, state finals
JUNE 20, 2021, 8:30 AM CDT,
Mandatory NATIONAL QUALIFIER Awards Ceremony and National Meeting
JULY 18-24, 2021 –
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FINALS RODEO, LINCOLN, NE
***New or Revised Entry information for rescheduled and postponed rodeos is on sdhsra.com, schedule. If any doubt – call that Rodeo Secretary before you enter***