stories by Magie Downare-Nevius
Cody Stubbs
UJHSRA member, Cody Stubbs
– Courtesy of Family
Thirteen-year-old Cody Stubbs is exerting effort in his second year with the Utah Junior High School Rodeo Association (UJHSRA) as a quadruple-event contestant. The 2014 team roping state qualifier says that he likes to rope with his friends as a header, but also takes to the arena as an individual in the chute dogging, breakaway roping and goat tying. “I really like the people and getting the chance to be with my friends,” he said of the organization. With a goal of qualifying for Nationals in the team roping, Cody remains hyped about his additional events. “I’d like to see what I can get done in the rest of my events and hopefully do well,” he said.
Having gotten an early start in the sport with his uncle (Richie) getting his dad (Randon) into high school rodeo as a team and calf roper, Cody progressed quickly and picked up chute dogging as an extra event. “It just looked fun and I kept at it, because it is fun,” he said. Cody’s involvement in equine stretches far before his competition, as his dad has taken him along as he shoes horses from the time Cody was in a stroller. “Cody got his love of horses and was taught everything about rodeo from his dad,” said mom, Kelly. Although, Cody is the only child of five siblings (three sisters and two brothers) to currently compete in rodeo, he says that his younger brother is showing his own interest in the sport and getting involved himself.
The eighth grader at Kanab Middle School expands as a student-athlete, also partaking in wrestling since he was in first grade. His experience in wrestling led the 86-pound wrestler to finish as the reserve Utah Junior High State champion this past season.
Hayes Giles
UJHSRA member, Hayes Giles
– Courtesy of Family
In his first season with the UJHSRA, Hayes Giles inflates his interest in three events: chute dogging, breakaway roping and goat tying. While the 14-year-old cowboy comes from a rodeo family as dad (Kim) was a high school team roper, mom (Jenny) was a high school breakaway roper, and his grandpa, along with several uncles all team and calf roped, Hayes has come to a decision that he is going to try and balance rodeo and additional sports as a freshman and sophomore. “He is really into sports and is a short stop and an alternate pitcher on his school baseball team. He is going to see which one he excels in to make a final decision,” Jenny said.
Holding a 4.0 G.P.A. (grade point average), the proud eighth grader at Tabiona Public School expands his interests to basketball and loves to shed hunt, along with critter hunting between helping out on the family ranch located in Tabiona. “We run 150 black Angus and Herford mother cows and Hayes helps out by changing sprinklers, feeding and any other job required,” Jenny said.
While Hayes is the only child in his family to currently compete within the arena, as his older sister (McKall, sophomore) is a cheerleader and plays basketball and volleyball, and his younger brother (Lex, 9) is picking up on rodeo and is looking to breakaway rope in the UJHSRA when his time comes. Hayes is looking to, not only, qualify for the state finals, but is hoping to place. The athlete is looking to start team roping and tie-down roping in future seasons.
