story by Kyle Eustice
Francis City, Utah 8th grader, Taylee Graham, practices—a lot. Barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, ribbon roping, and goat tying is all she wants to do. Her parents, Trent and Sarah, have always encouraged the 13-year-old South Summit Middle School student to pursue her passions. Her older brother Tate, 18, laid the foundation when he started team roping.
“I kind of looked up to my older brother,” said Taylee. “I wanted to kind of follow in his footsteps.We used to practice together when I’d do breakaway. He would tie down with me.”
Tate doesn’t rodeo as often as he used to, rather he decided to go into the family business, Graham Plumbing and Heating, but they’re still a rodeo family. Taylee joined the UJHSRA in 5th grade when she was 11.
“I just love to rodeo and want to compete,” said Taylee. “I love just running my horses and being there with all of my friends and family. They cheer me on.”
This year, she made it to Lebanon, Tennessee for the Nationals to compete in ribbon roping. Although she didn’t place, it made her more determined to win next year, but she knows that’s going to take endless hours of work. Luckily, her neighbors, Rusty Webster and his family, have an arena right outside her house.
“We’ve always been friends and really close,” explained Taylee. “He offered to let me practice there.”
Rusty’s son, Chase, 13, is Taylee’s ribbon roping partner and Sage Webster, 9, does 5th and Unders. It’s provided an incredibly nurturing environment for her to hone her skills. After she graduates, she plans on joining the UHSRA her freshman year of high school and pursuing college rodeo after that.
“Eventually, I want to join the PRCA,” said Taylee. “That would be really fun and cool to go to.”
Aside from rodeo, Taylee really wants to become a veterinarian one day. The family recently acquired their newest animal, a Border Collie named Meadow. They weren’t expecting to get a dog, but in this case, they didn’t really have a choice.
“My dad found her while he was loading cows,” said Taylee. “She was just laying under his truck and as soon as he started it, she just jumped and was ready to go. We’ve had her ever since.”
The Grahams own goats, sheep, cows, and horses, which teaches her about responsibility. Rodeo is also giving her some valuable lessons.
“I think good sportsmanship is important,” said Taylee. “You have to love what you’re doing and who you are doing it with. Rodeo is the only thing I really love to do.”
