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 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…

Meet the Member Amy Weich

story by Lindsay King If fellow NMHSRA competitors don’t recognize Amy Weich by her big smile, they certainly can remember her mount. “Magnum was a stud for about six years, so he is massive. He actually has really tiny ears and the tip on the right one is missing, so it makes it even smaller. Most people know me through him,” said the 17-year-old from Las Cruces, NM. It has taken some to time to…

Meet the Member Weslynn Reno

story by Lindsay King Three tough losses in one year are hard enough when they aren’t your rodeo mounts. Weslynn Reno, Las Cruces, New Mexico, experienced more than her fair share of heartbreak last rodeo season. All three of her horses were take taken out of commission, some before this rodeo year even started. This included her breakaway, barrel and pole horse. “The hardest part about rodeo is losing good horses. It is really hard…

Meet the Member Grady Kirkes

story by Lindsay King Though rodeo is in Grady Kirkes’ blood, he recognizes the blessing he’s been given to travel all over New Mexico, and the U.S., to rope calves. The 18-year-old is the youngest of Ross and Creta Kirkes after his two older sisters Jessie, 26, and Shelby, 24. “My dad is my coach. He helped my sister win an all-around title at high school nationals so I guess his tactics are proven,” said…

Meet the Member Carson Mills

story by Lindsay King Ten years separates Carson Mills from her oldest sibling, her best friend. Tegan, 27, and Carson, 17, were inseparable from the start. “I was basically her live baby doll when I was little, so we have always been close. She taught me a lot and helped me in any way she could,” said the Loving, New Mexico, header and breakaway roper. “My sister is my biggest influence in just about everything…

Meet the Member Charleigh Davis

story by Lindsay King A big hug and a mile-wide smile await Charleigh Davis back at the trailer after each run from her grandpa Chuck Sullivan. “My grandpa and grandma Sullivan have always been my number one fans and been there to support me. They keep me going. No matter if it is a good or bad run, my papa is always the first one to tell me what I did wrong or did well,”…

Meet the Member Joseph Chavez

story by Lindsay King “My little brother (Lucas, 13) has saved my butt a few times, he is a bull fighter,” said Joseph Chavez a bull rider from Moriarty, New Mexico. The 15-year-old followed in his cousin’s footsteps when it comes to strapping his hand to a 1,400-pound bull. Skye Chavez put a three-year-old Joseph in the mutton busting and the rest is history. “My cousin was always putting me on calves or sheep or…

Meet the Member Blade Wilson

story by Lindsay King Becoming one of the greats, something Blade Wilson from Capitan, New Mexico, aspires to be one day. The team roper and reined cow horse high school competitor is no stranger to hard work. “The hardest part about rodeo for me is the difference between my two events. The riding specifically. The two horses have completely different buttons and you are thinking about two different things on both of them, so that…