story by Riata Christiansen
Keagan Richards is the 18-year-old son of Mykelle and Shilo Richards. He hails from small town Tropic, Utah, where everyone knows everyone and the community is as close as family. Keagan is the oldest of five children and works hard to be a good example for his siblings, Chancey, Abby, Klincey, and Shiley. Keagan has a tendency to spoil his youngest sister, Shiley and is especially protective of her.
After being introduced to the sport by his parents, Keagan has been on the rodeo road since he was very young. A local rodeo hosted by Ruby’s Inn was where he got on his first sheep for the mutton bustin’. Later, he graduated to calves and steers. He started getting on bucking horses at the age of 13, and continues to thrive as a saddle bronc rider. This year he is working towards the state title and a trip to the National High School Finals Rodeo. Eventually he would like to college rodeo and one day hopes to ride at the National Finals Rodeo. His favorite part of rodeoing, besides the actual competing, is hanging out with his buddies and meeting the awesome people of the sport. So far his favorite rodeos are the Dixie Sixes. The three weekends of rodeo in Sunny St. George are always highly anticipated.
Keagan is a senior at Bryce Valley High School, and his agricultural classes are his favorite. He is a member of the National FFA Organization, where he competes in the horse judging competition and serves as his chapter Vice President.
During the summer, Keagan works as a horseback tour guide. He guides tourists from all over the world through the marvelous Bryce Canyon. Although it’s sometimes difficult to communicate with people who don’t speak any English, he spends all day on the back of a horse and meeting new people, which he loves.
When he isn’t working or rodeoing, he enjoys being in the outdoors. He helps on the family ranch where they run around 160 head of cattle. He also enjoys hunting and fishing. This western and active way of life is the reason Keagan learned to work hard and be persistent.
Keagan’s hero is his own father, Shilo. His dad was a saddle bronc rider in high school, and because Keagan wanted to be just like him, he followed in his footsteps. He continues to work hard at his goals and is another example of the talented and dedicated athletes of the Utah High School Rodeo Association.