NJRA member Jewel Crawford – Nate Bailey Rodeo Photography
story by Lindsay Whelchel
The Crawford siblings, Trenton and Jewel, are wild things, their mom Jordee laughs as she describes.
The children are full of energy and life, perhaps nowhere more so than at a rodeo.
Trenton, 10, likes to ribbon rope, breakaway, and goat tie. He’s also diving full force into the world of bull riding starting out with calves and steers.
Jewel, 7, is involved in just as much when it comes to the speed events of barrels, poles, goats and flags, with the help of her trusty mare Snickers.
“We love going. It’s a lot of fun hanging out with all the people,” Jordee says of the family’s involvement in the Northeast Junior Rodeo Association.
“Trent ended up winning first in the breakaway and ribbon roping and ended up with the ribbon roping saddle, and Jewel ended up doing good and won the all-around this year for the the 6 and Under, and Trent was in the 7-9 age group,” Jordee says.
The siblings are outgoing and competitive, but the best part of their participation in the rodeo is that they can have fun with friends and cheer everyone on.
NJRA member Trenton Crawford – Nate Bailey Rodeo Photography
The family lives in Niotaze, Kan., near the Oklahoma border. Trenton and Jewel’s mom and dad both rodeoed, and they even met each other as members of the same rodeo association. Jordee did the timed events, and Jake team roped.
These days, Jordee keeps busy with the kids, and Jake travels a lot for his work as a welder.
Much of the Crawfords’ extended family is also involved in NJRA. Trenton and Jewel’s cousin Phoenix “Chickie” lives with them during rodeo season, and Jewel looks up to her cousins Piper and Presely, fellow NJRA cowgirls.
Outside of rodeo, Jewel still doesn’t like to sit down. She is always on the go with her favorite subject in school being recess. Trenton plays all of the sports he can from basketball and baseball, to football.
But his future plans definitely involve riding bulls, and he admires Professional Bull Rider, J.B. Mauney.
Already, Trenton is pretty brave and says he doesn’t get scared when he climbs in the chute. Jewel, whose favorite event is the poles, too has built up her confidence greatly this year with Snickers, Jordee explains.
And for both kids it seems, as long as they’re moving, they’re happy, but it’s a lot better if they’re inside an arena at an NJRA Rodeo.
