story by Lindsay King
Amistad, New Mexico, cowboy Dillon Mathis is a calf roper by choice and rancher by nature. “My dad Marty is a rancher, I get to help him a lot. That is what I want to be when I grow up,” said the 13-year-old. “I get to help gather and brand calves every spring. We heel them in the pen and then drag them to the fire.” Dillon also helps his neighbors with branding in the spring. “My favorite job is to drag them to the fire, but I also like to flank them. Ranch work helps me practice a little bit for rodeo.” The tie-down roper likes working towards beating the clock against his own time and his competitors.
Dillon also competes in breakaway roping, team roping, chute dogging and ribbon roping. “My dad and grandpa both rodeoed, I started roping when I was seven. Roping is my favorite, I just like having a rope in my hand.” Dillon’s dad is always in the practice pen with him and they also rope together at jackpots. “My dad has taught me just about everything I know. He is a tie-down roper too, so that is part of the reason why I like it so much.” Dillon is also a skilled header, periodically competing in up and back rodeos where he gets to heel a steer and then turn around and head for his partner. “I have always been a heeler. There is a lot of action in it and I think it can be challenging.” Dillon ropes with his brother Dawson, 10. “My mom Erin also rodeoed when she was younger, so it is definitely a family sport.” He loves rodeo even more because he gets to spend so much time with his family doing what they all love.
His proudest moment so far happened this fall when he made the short go at the Rising Stars Calf Roping. “This was my first trip there. I got in the short round, but I was a little long. It was exciting and challenging, I cannot wait to go back this coming fall.” As Dillon backs in the box he thinks about keeping his tip down and to simply rope the way he knows how to. “I always try to do the best I can and then help others to do their best too.” The five-event cowboy made it to state in all his events except calf roping this past summer. “I like competing in the NMJHSRA because everybody is so nice. We will compete and then afterwards we can all have fun together. It’s not just cut throat, we cheer each other on and have fun.” His most recent notable accomplishment was winning a buckle for steer stopping at the Let R Blow Rodeo series.
This seventh grader is homeschooled, allowing him to work towards his ranch and rodeo goals. “I plan to start my own herd of cattle before I leave for school. I am not sure where I want to go but I know I want to rodeo in college and then maybe major in agriculture.” Surrounded by canyons allows Dillon and his family to hunt deer and mountain lions. They are also avid skiers, both on the water and snow. “Ute Lake is right by us, so we go there a lot in the summer. But in the winter, we go to my favorite place, Wolf Creek. There are a lot of slopes and trails to choose from. I can ski a black diamond, but I like blues the best.” Aside from working cattle and rodeo, the Mathis family takes time for vacations. “We went to Hawaii three years ago, it was my favorite vacation spot so far. I liked all the water and the sea turtles. We got to snorkel in the reef.” Despite everything else, Dillon is most thankful for accepting Christ into his life last year.
