New Mexico High School Rodeo Association (NMHSRA) Archives

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New Mexico High School Rodeo Association (NMHSRA)

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Members

Meet the Member Makayla Henson

story by Lindsay King No matter the number of steps propelling her backward, Makayla Henson knows the step forward will always be bigger. It’s this sage advice that has gotten the 16-year-old from Belen, New Mexico, through the highs and lows of both life and rodeo. “My parents (Abe and Christine) competed in rodeo when they were younger, so it was in my blood. They took a break from it for a bit and when…

Meet the Member Natalie Larabee

story by Lindsay King At 16 years old, Natalie Larabee is the youngest of four – Emily, 25, Morgan, 20, and Lindsey, 21. She’s also the only one of her siblings who got serious about rodeo. “When I was little I can remember always going to small rodeos with my family. My dad has always owned horses and roped a little, but nobody in my family has ever competed at the level that I do.…

Meet the Member Hadlee Oder

story by Lindsay King Hadlee Oder was born with a rope in his hands and he still hasn’t put it down. That’s no matter for this NMHSRA swap-end team roper with a side hustle in the calf roping, he wouldn’t want it any other way. Team roping is his favorite event, hands down. “It’s just always something I’ve enjoyed a little more. I think the heeling part is the most fun. I’ve always done it…

Meet the Member Gage Bruhn

story by Lindsay King Shooting rifles and roping steers: two things Gage Bruhn has done his entire life. Both are events he competes in with the NMHSRA. This Logan, New Mexico, native grew up on a ranch riding, roping and shooting rifles. “Ever since I first started competing in the sixth grade, I don’t think I have missed a rodeo since then,” said the high school senior. “We run a cattle ranch with black Angus…

Meet the Member Siera Bradford-Green

story by Lindsay King A helicopter touched down in the center of a roping pen near Quemado, New Mexico, on Sept. 19, 2019. It’s passenger? 18-year-old Siera Bradford-Green. The roper was awake and alert, but she was strapped to a stretcher and flown to a hospital in Albuquerque. “I don’t remember what happened, but my family said I was uncinching my horse in the box when something spooked him,” said the high school senior. A…

Meet the Member Trey Mitchel

story by Lindsay King During the NHSFR Trey Mitchell was leading the all-around race prior to hitting the short round. He earned his right for a third trip to nationals by winning the reined cow horse and taking reserve in the cutting at the NMHSRA state finals this past summer. “I was leading the state in the cow horse and sitting second in the cutting, I just had to make clean runs to keep my…

Meet the Member Clay Garley

story by Lindsay King What started out as a four-event season, turned into two and thankfully so. “This last year I just rode bulls and team roped in the second semester. I roped calves and rode saddle broncs in the first semester. I just wanted to hone-in my focus on two events and I didn’t think that I had a bright future in the saddle broncs,” said Clay Garley from Las Lunas, New Mexico. “I…

Meet the Member Caleb Griego

story by Lindsay King Leading the NMHSRA bull riding almost the entire season was Stanley, New Mexico, native Caleb Griego. Things got a little rocky in the spring season, but Caleb managed to turn it around, in a big way. “I lost focus towards the middle of the spring season and I got bumped down to second. I pulled through and went into state in first place,” said the 16 year old. Even though it…

Meet the Member McKenzie Watkins

story by Lindsay King McKenzie Watkins left the NMHSRA finals with not one, but two state championship buckles. One in the breakaway and the other in trap shooting. “I have enjoyed breakaway since I was little. My dad (Mike) helped me learn it when I was itty bitty. I have loved it my entire life,” said the 18-year-old. This Bloomfield, New Mexico, native couldn’t be happier the sport is rapidly growing. This isn’t McKenzie’s first…

Meet the Member Kailee Parra

story by Lindsay King Kailee Parra picked up rodeo when she was little, but she laid it back down for a couple of years before realizing it’s where she truly wanted to be. While playing volleyball and basketball as a freshman, it dawned on Kailee that she should give rodeo another shot. “When I would go to a rodeo, I realized I had a lot more fun there than I did in sports. I connect…

Meet the Member TR Frost

story by Lindsay King In the midst of what TR Frost considers her worst rodeo season thus far, she is simply thankful for the opportunity to compete and humbled by the support from her family and sponsors: Curicyn; Fast Back Ropes; Kimes Ranch Jeans; American Hat; DM Cattle Company; and Cecil’s Diesel. “My goal for this season is just to make my sponsors proud, because there is no way I could be where I am…

Meet the Member Kadin Babb

story by Lindsay King “It’s a winner takes all sport, which definitely makes you humble,” said Kadin Babb. “Every rodeo solidifies that, win or lose. The glory always goes to God and the thanks goes to everybody that helped you. Without all the support, this sport would not be possible.” This wise-beyond his 16 years Hobbs, New Mexico, cowboy spent many summers in Texas with his grandparents on his mom’s side. “They took me to…