story by Laurie Dineen
Colby has been a CJRA member for the past 8 years, getting his start in the sport of rodeo at the ripe age of 5 and now at the age of 13, he has grown not only taller and stouter, but broader in his outlook on life in general. He lives northeast of Wellington, CO with his dad Jerimy, mom Becky and his two sisters Tatum and Jaycee all of whom participate in the world of rodeo in one form or another.
Colby’s family has always been involved in different aspects of rodeo and the agricultural industry in general and he has been riding horses since he was 3 yrs. old. He currently competes in the Colorado Junior Rodeo Association, Colorado Junior High Rodeo Association, United States Team Roping Association & Colorado Calf Ropers Association. Colby’s favorite events include team roping, calf roping and chute dogging. After the 2017 CJRA Rodeo season he was the Champion Jr. Boy breakaway roper and placed in the chute dogging, ribbon roping, goat tying and team roping on the heeling side. These accomplishments combined placed him 3rd overall in the Jr. Boys year-end All-Around.
“My favorite all time horse is Booger, who I have since given to my little sister and my favorite current horse is Corona that I use to heel and tie goats on,” said Colby. “I practice all of my events as often as possible; during the summer I am able to practice more often when I don’t have conflicts with school or other sports. We try to practice as a family as much as possible and we enjoy pushing one another to get better through constant competition and looking for new ways to make practice a lot of fun. The best thing about the CJRA rodeos is I get to spend time with my friends and my family while getting to compete against some of the toughest competition throughout the state.”
A 7th grader at Resurrection Christian School, Colby’s favorite classes are History with Mr. Blair and English with Mrs. Romey. He also participates in wrestling and football during the fall and winter. “I really look up to my wrestling coach Ben VomBaur of the Bearcave wrestling club for how he has had the ability to positively impact so many people’s lives in so many ways. I look to my Lord and Savior as well as my entire family who help me with all aspects of who I am and who I am trying to become; both inside and outside of the arena,” Colby reflected.
As for his specific rodeo events, Colby is able to practice with and get help from not only his family but also Ron Nauta (team roping), Jacy Dickens (tie-down), and Drew Joseph (steer wrestling). “I would like to also thank Wrangler, Cactus Ropes, Cactus Gear, Resistol and IBA Dairy Supply for their support throughout the year,” said Colby.
“My goal for the upcoming rodeo season is to be able to look back on the year and not have any regrets or second guess what I was able to accomplish because of the attitude and effort that was put into the season. As for the future, “I want to be 1% better at everything I do today; compared to where I was yesterday.”
Colby is on the right track to be successful not only in the rodeo arena but in his walk through life. We wish him all the best as he strives to accomplish his goals in and out of the arena.
