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 lead in the goats, that first round was tougher than expected. She made quick work of her next two goats and won them both. Wacey also put together some quick runs in both the breakaway and ribbon roping, with partner Reno Scribner, to take home those year-end titles as well. “We didn’t have a rodeo season in 2020 because of COVID so this is only my second time qualifying for nationals in junior high,” said the 14-year-old cowgirl from Abiquiu, New Mexico. “Last year at nationals was one of the biggest events that I had ever competed in. It was a good experience to learn what I needed to do to prepare to become a world champion this year.”
Last year Wacey went to nationals in goats, breakaway, and ribbons. While she took eighth in the world in ribbons, she walked away as the national champion junior high goat tier. After drawing well three times, Wacey took first place in all three rounds and ended up with a total time of 21.85. “Last year I learned that I needed to practice tying on a wide variety of goats and in high pressure situations. I felt like I was much more prepared this year.” Wacey’s 12-year-old sister, Teagan, also went to nationals in goats, but she wasn’t nearly as lucky on her draws. “I got to watch all three of my goats on at least one run before I had to tie them, so I had some insight about what they might do. My best run was the second round. I watched that goat twice. He went left once and right the other, so I wasn’t exactly sure what he would do for me, but he was a really great goat.”
In the NMJHSRA, Wacey ran ribbons, tied goats, and roped both calves and steers. Now in high school, she’s only competing in team roping, goats and breakaway. Of course, she wanted to do well in all of her events at nationals, but like almost all her other rodeos, goat tying is her main focus. Perhaps that’s because it’s her longtime favorite event, her goat horse is her favorite, or more than likely a combination of both. “I love to practice goats; I tie every morning and night. One of those practices is with my cousins. My favorite part is the get off. I like that I’m going so fast and get to step off a running horse.” Wacey’s coach, Stacey Martin, helped her find Robin who was a step-up mount when she entered the seventh grade.
“When I first got Robin, she was way faster than I was used to. It took me about a year to really get with her. Stacey helped a lot with that.” Wacey ran Robin at nationals and if it wasn’t clear from her final year in junior high rodeo that the pair were synched up, then they certainly proved it in Georgia. “She only does goat tying. She’s really hyper and gets amped up at a rodeo. I love her craziness though. She’s so solid that she makes the same run every time.” Thankful, grateful and absolutely blessed by her time and the rodeo family of the NMJHSRA, Wacey would be remiss if she didn’t thank them. “I want to thank my parents and my whole family for helping me and all the New Mexico rodeo families who helped me and then my sister and, of course, Stacey, the Sullivan family and the Scribners and Dutton’s.”
As Wacey leaves the NMJHSRA behind this fall, she’ll miss competing in ribbons – another event she loves – and against her little sister. “She’s tough competition. At home she pushes me to work hard and to get even faster.” As Wacey kicks off her freshman season with the NMHSRA, she’s set some lofty goals she’s optimistic that Teagan can help her achieve through their joint practices at home. “I’m going against some great competition this year, so one of my goals right now is to simply win state finals in one of my events so I can go to nationals again.” Wacey intends to stay with the path from this last year of continuing to practice her events every single day and to keep up her workout regime.
