Written by: Lily Landreth

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Rodeo is the axis which Peyton Crowder’s life revolves around. She has been competing in the NJHSRA since she was in sixth grade, although she first competed in the rodeo arena when she was five. The 14-year-old’s interest in rodeo first took root as she watched her older brother compete. Following in his shadow, Peyton’s first few years of rodeo were none too easy. However, several horses made the difference in her competition, including Bucky and Maverick, a horse given to Peyton by her aunt. While Maverick was already trained, Peyton seasoned him for rodeo, discovering that the horse had a flair for the sport. “Maverick has been a godsend, thanks to Peyton’s Aunt Carol,” says Missy Crowder, Peyton’s mom. On Maverick, Peyton went on to compete in the NJHFR in barrel racing during her first year of junior high rodeo, placing as first runner up. Peyton competed at the NJHFR again in 2013, qualifying in barrel racing, breakaway roping, and team roping, and she is going into the spring rodeo season leading in the all-around.

Peyton also competes in pole bending, goat tying, and ribbon roping. She team ropes as a header with her friend Morgan Darnell. In addition to competing in the NJHSRA, Peyton competes in the Mile Hi Barrel Horse Association. Barrel racing is her favorite event, and her greatest dream is to compete at the WNFR someday. In the meantime, Peyton spends much of her time with her horses. She runs barrels on Maverick, pole bends on Holly, team ropes on Ego, and does goat tying on Scooty. Both Ego and Scooty belonged to Peyton’s brother Wyatt, who passed his rodeo horses along to her. She will also be competing on her newest horse, Dani, this summer. While her horses are a tremendous part of her rodeo pursuits, Peyton also gratefully acknowledges the support of her parents Missy and Robbie Crowder, her brother Wyatt, her uncle Rick Harris, Carol Crowder, and her friend Charleen Ornellas.

The Crowder family lives several miles outside of Fort Lupton, Colo. Their 70 acres are home to a number of horses and bucking bulls. Wyatt, Peyton’s brother, is a PBR stock contractor, and the 19-year-old’s bull The Rocker won the American Bucking Bull Inc. Classic title in 2013 at the PBR World Finals. Peyton is very proud of her brother’s accomplishments with his bucking bulls, and another one of her goals is to raise a PBR bucking bull of her own. Peyton divides the majority of her time between her horses, her bulls, and raising Miniature Australian Shepherds. Peyton’s mom calls her a true animal lover, and Peyton takes great pride in raising good puppies. The money she makes from selling her puppies goes toward her rodeo entry fees.

Peyton is homeschooled, and she is currently in the eighth grade. While bookwork is not her favorite thing, Peyton is an honor roll student, and she loves to finish her school and get out to her horses. She practices nearly every day, whether riding, roping, or working with her bucking bulls. Peyton’s main goal for this year is to compete at the NJHFR in barrel racing for the third consecutive year. But she also enjoys the journey to the NJHFR and she loves being a part of the NJHSRA and spending time with the people of the association.

In conclusion, Peyton would like to extend her thanks to the three sponsors that keep her horses ready to rodeo – Rick Harris Horseshoeing, Dale Knobbs Chiropractic, and Formula 707.