Nineteen-year-old Pecos Tatum might be young, but his rodeo résumé already reads like that of a seasoned pro.
Hailing from La Plata, New Mexico, Tatum said he has been roping and riding nearly all his life.
“Everybody in my family has always rodeoed or had something to do with rodeo,” Tatum said. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.”
A longtime supporter of the American Hat Company, Tatum’s relationship with the brand began early.
“I think I was like seven or eight when Mr. Keith gave me my first hat,” he said, referring to the late Keith Maddox, owner of American Hat Company.
“Before he passed away, he was always just a great guy to me and my family. It’s very easy to support a company with such a great product and great people.”
That early connection sparked a partnership that continues to shape Tatum’s professional image and confidence, both on and off the court.
Now a full-time professional cowboy, Tatum bypassed college to hit the road and chase his dreams.
“Last year was my rookie year,” he said. “I didn’t go to school. I finished high school and left home to go rodeoing.”
Homeschooled since the first grade, Tatum credits that flexibility with helping him build the skills and experience he needed to excel.
“It opened up a lot of opportunities,” he said. “Being homeschooled let me rope with more people and go to more rodeos.”
Last year may not have ended the way he hoped, but Tatum views it as a learning experience.
“It taught me a lot of things I could do differently,” he said.
Now ranked in the top 25 in the world standings, Tatum is focused on qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
“My goal is to get to the NFR this year,” he said. “There was a big learning curve last year. I had to figure out how things worked and improve my mental game.”
Tatum said he currently splits his time between Texas and the rodeo trail, with a dependable string of horses behind him. His central mount is a horse he purchased during his junior year of high school.
“I bought him right before state finals and made it to nationals on him,” Tatum said. “It’s kind of just gone on from there.”
His secondary horse, a sorrel named Raymond, was purchased from a family friend in Arizona.
“He’s really strong in long setups like Cheyenne and Salinas. He’s my go-to for those,” Tatum said.
Outside the arena, Tatum said he also enjoys auctioneering, a trade passed down from his grandfather, who spent years selling at local livestock barns.
“He started teaching me when I was six or seven,” Tatum said.
“I’d go to the sale barn with him and get to sell a few things, just messing around. I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Despite his age, Tatum speaks with the quiet confidence of someone who knows the value of hard work, support from family and mentors, and the importance of staying grounded.
“It’s been a blessing,” he said. “There are so many people who’ve helped me, my parents, my grandparents, friends; I wish I could name them all.”
With ProRodeo at its peak and eyes on Las Vegas in December, Pecos Tatum said he is focused on two things: roping smart and staying consistent.
