story by Lily Weinacht
Gabe Carter finished his first season of junior high rodeo by qualifying for the NJHFR in bull riding. The 13 year old hailing from Wetmore, Colorado, has also competed in the NLBRA, and he’s found his niche in the CJHSRA. “My first year was way more fun than I thought it would be,” he says. “I met new friends and figured out new techniques on how to ride.” His dad, Chad Carter, and 17-year-old brother, Sam – both bull riders – aroused Gabe’s own interest in the event. His mom, Stephanie Carter, steels her nerves for their performances by running the video camera. “Gabe is a kid with a lot of heart,” she says. “It doesn’t always come out the way he wants, but he always goes into everything with as much heart as he can.”
Gabe’s wholehearted work in the arena earned him a trip to Lebanon, Tennessee, where he competed on the biggest stage of his life thus far. “I didn’t think that many people would show up!” he describes. “The bulls were way more rank than I thought, and really fun. I also did lots of swimming, and some training on bucking barrels while we were there.” He never leaves for a rodeo without the cross for his vest, and the Bible he keeps in his gear bag. “It’s a leather cross that goes on the shoulder of my vest,” he explains. “The biggest part of rodeo I enjoy is right before I compete. I’m in the chutes with the bull, and right before I nod my head, I take a deep breath and the adrenaline kicks in.”
He’s hoping to add chute dogging or bareback riding to his events for the 2017 season, but bull riding has first priority. “My dad inspired me to do it, and I really want to be like him. He and my brother help me out with my equipment and the bucking barrel, and my little brother, Calvin (six), thinks he’s my coach and likes to teach me. Roland and Georgie Smith in Penrose, Colorado, have a practice pen and mini bulls that help a lot when I ride there.” Gabe and Sam often ride their family’s horses bareback, and Calvin will ride double with one of them. “We have two dogs, Huck and Josie, and some steers and breeding heifers. I’ve shown pigs and steers in 4-H for five years, and we recently finished fair,” says Gabe.
Jumping into eighth grade at Fremont Middle School, Gabe enjoys the challenge of math and science, and is looking forward to playing football. “Last year I was the running back and linebacker for the Florence Huskies, and I hope to get the same positions this year. I also wrestle. In my spare time, I go outside and mess around with the horses, or go fishing or coyote hunting.” A favorite hunting site is known simply as the Valley, near Salida, Colorado. “I go on hunting trips with my dad and brothers, and my grandpa, Jerry, is a big hunter too. The Valley has really good elk and deer and antelope. I got my first buck there last year – it was a five by five.”
Gabe’s goal is to ride bulls in the CSHSRA like Sam next year, and he’s considering pro rodeoing in a few years. He finishes, “I hope to make it to Nationals again next year, and place up there!”
