By Larie Dineen
Cash Evans is on a mission – a mission that he hopes will lead him on the road to the NFR in tie down roping. This 9 years old lives outside of Yuma, CO with his mom and dad (Megan and Chris), older brother Coy (11), twin sister Cassidy and younger brother Cross (3). Cash has been riding since he was 4, however, his mother exclaimed that “he has had a rope in his hands since he was 2 and has the passion and desire to be competitive at rodeo.” His dad, a PRCA tie down roper, just may be one of the reasons Cash is looking toward a career in rodeo, the other is the fire that burns deep within him – the fire that fueled his success this past year in the CJRA.
Cash entered his first CJRA rodeo last spring in the PeeWee division and with his passion and dedication to practice he ended the year as the Champion All-around contestant in his division. Adding to his awards he was named CJRA year-end champion in goat tying, pole bending and dummy roping and placed 3rd in flags and barrels. With these accomplishments and being his first year as a member of CJRA, Cash was also named the CJRA Pee Wee Rookie of the Year.
When not working on his school work, this homeschooled 3rd grader can be found outside alongside his dad helping on the ranch. “I enjoy ranch work – checking cows, branding, preg checking, feeding, many of which I can do horseback. It helps keep our horses on their top game and the younger horses learn so much,” exclaimed Cash. “I really like to work with our horses, keeping the good ones good and to help train the colts.” Rodeo is not new to Cash. Prior to joining the CJRA, he competed in the Little Britches rodeos and before that he watched and learned as his dad worked on the ranch and competed in calf roping in CPRA and PRCA rodeos. His favorite horse is Ice Man – who Cash rides for heading and break-away. “Hotshot is another favorite for all of us,” said Cash. “My sister and brother and I all rode him in poles and flags and he was named the World Champion Pole Horse at the Little Britches last year. He was ranch raised and we rode him doing ranch work a lot. He is a really neat horse and really deserved that award.”
Cash will move up to the CJRA Jr. division this rodeo season and will try his hand competing in breakaway, team roping, ribbon roping and goat tying. “I’m pretty excited for this year and know it will be a bit different than last year but I am up for the challenge,” Cash said. “I try to practice as much as I can on my rodeo events along with Coy and Cassidy. We help each other working on events and my mom and dad are also very helpful. When my mom and dad can’t help, my grandparents step in to help us as well.” Also instrumental in Cash’s practice is Chadron Coeffield, a neighbor and friend and also a CJRA member. “Chadron helps me with my goat tying a lot and that has been very helpful.”
“I like the CJRA a lot. I have met a lot of good friends from all over the state and try to keep in touch with them even after the summer rodeos are done by writing letters and texting,” said Cash. “I am very excited to start back with CJRA rodeo’s this spring. Goat tying is my favorite event and I think being good at this will help me be a good calf roper. I also like team roping and will rope with my older brother this year as well as my dad, in the parent/child team roping.”
“I would like to thank my parents and grandparents for their support and encouragement as well as my sponsors – Chute Help, Cattle Active/Equi-sure and Hickert Land and Cattle. All have help me to become the rodeo athlete I am and the chance to compete at the CJRA rodeos.”
Cash hopes to continue his momentum from last summer and compete in the CJRA finals for the saddle in breakaway, team roping and goats. His long term goals are to make it to the NFR in the calf roping. With his desire, passion and work ethic, I am sure we will see Cash Evans on the leader board in years to come!
