story by Lindsay Whelchel
Ryder Ladner
– JenningsRodeoPhotography.com
When Ryder Ladner’s sister Maggie started showing cattle when he was young, he decided he wasn’t interested in the show pen and headed straight to the arena.
“I wasn’t a big fan of the cow showing, and I had to do something to pass time, what better to do than pick up a rope?” he laughed. Now 17 years old, Ryder is thriving in the sport. He competes in calf roping, team roping and bull dogging, as well as working cow horse for Mississippi high school rodeo. He’s been to high school nationals, Little Britches Nationals, as well as the International Finals Youth Rodeo where he placed in several rounds. He won the World Junior Boy All-Around in Little Britches in Pueblo, Colo., 2012 and holds an AQHA World Championship in Junior Boy Breakaway Roping among many other achievements like the Boys Sportsmanship award for Mississippi High School Rodeo his 9th and 10th grade years and Rookie Cowboy his freshman year.
Ryder makes his home in Kiln, Miss., where his mom Sharon and dad Roger were initially into raising racehorses. “We all started running horses and kind of grew from running horses to slow horses,” he joked of his roping steeds. His dad pushed him to be the best he can be, and for that Ryder is very thankful. “They spent a lot of hard working hours in the practice arena,” Sharon said.
Ryder bought his rookie card this year and competes in the Tri State Rodeo Association in team roping and calf roping. He heads for TSRA member, Steve Kinchen. His goal is Rookie of the Year, but whatever the outcome, Ryder explained he just loves the sport.
“Going to the rodeos, it’s not like a normal sporting event where everyone is out for their selves. If you need some help somewhere along the way, the rodeo cowboys will always be there to help you,” he said and added that it’s a good sport to be able to spend time with your family. He spends a lot of time with his brother in law, TSRA member, Orin Shorter. The pair is in business together with a rope company called Riviera Ropes. Rodeo has helped guide Ryder’s path in that area too. “It’s taught me a lot about how the business works,” he explained.
Ryder is in his junior year in high school and is also on the fishing team when he’s not rodeoing. He is also a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and is very involved in the youth activities. He gives God all the glory for his accomplishments. His future plans involve college rodeo and a degree in chemistry or biology, but for right now, Ryder is just going to do what he’s already mastered, go pick up a rope.
