story by Riata Cummings
Trevor Johnson is the 14-year-old son of Hollie and Ed Johnson from Rush Valley, Utah. His siblings are Laramie, Tate and Lindsey, and together they enjoy travelling to rodeos, relaxing at home and working on their ranch. The Johnson Land & Livestock ranch runs around 250 head of beef cattle. Hollie and Ed are agriculture teachers at Grantsville High School, and the kids show sheep and steers through the 4-H and FFA programs at their county fair.
Trevor attends Grantsville Junior High School as an eighth grader, and his favorite classes are gym and math where he can “always stay busy.” During the winter, Trevor plays on a club basketball team. “Basketball might not be as much action as rodeo, but it’s fun and keeps me in shape.” When Trevor isn’t at school or mastering his sports, he enjoys helping on the ranch. Trevor hopes to one day attend college at Utah State University and study to become a construction manager or other technically skilled worker.
Trevor has been riding horses for as long as he can remember. His mother was a rodeo queen and his older brother competed in high school rodeo, so choosing to compete in the Utah Junior High School Rodeo Association was a natural decision for Trevor. He competes in the boys breakaway roping and the in the team roping as a heeler for Quincy Probst. Last year, Trevor finished fourth in the state in the breakaway roping and competed at the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo. This year he has set a goal to qualify for nationals in both of his events.
Trevor competes on two horses, Ernie and Joe. Both horses “have lots of power and are always willing to please. They never give up or get tired, and they know their jobs.” Ernie, the heel horse, is Trevor’s favorite. “I bought him from a feed lot and then rode him a lot on the ranch. He hunts cows and he always stops hard for me.” Trevor ropes the dummy daily, as well roping steers a couple times a week.
Trevor loves that rodeo gives him the chance to travel, make friends and be around his family. Rodeo has taught him to “work hard in every situation.” It has also shown him that “winning and losing are both good for your character. You have to be consistent in your effort and humble about the outcome.” Some of his greatest character strengths are his humility and respect. “When I’m at the rodeo if I have or haven’t done well, I try to stay down to earth with everyone. I like to see that trait in others, and I try to show it.”
He lives by the saying, “You get out what you put in.” This reminds him that “if you work hard and try your best, you’ll get what you earn. Put in the work and you’ll see the reward.” One of Trevor’s heroes is his father, Ed, who has taught him, supported him and shown him the value of hard work. Trevor would like to thank his parents for supporting his rodeo dreams and helping him become the person and athlete he is.
