Meet the Member Waylon Bourgeois

Rodeo has become a father son activity in the Boureouis household. Youngest of three boys, Waylon Bourgeois, says that his dad, Jeff Bourgeois, is not only his idol but his biggest help with rodeos. Jeff and his six brothers rode bareback horses when they were younger; which seventeen-year-old Waylon now loves, too. Waylon started by riding sheep at age 8, then steers, and has now graduated to broncs; he started last December riding bareback horses. Waylon’s two older brothers, Galvin (20) and Hayden (18), did rodeo but don’t anymore. His dad is a tax accessor, and mom, Eloise, is a nurse. Waylon normally travels with his dad with one exception. His dad let him travel with two of his friends and was pretty nervous, Waylon said he called a lot and called right after he rode to check on him.
The 11th grader at Notre Dame High School lives in Church Point, Louisiana. He plays fullback for the Notre Dame Pioneers’ football team, and they have two wins under their belt so far. He also plays third base for the baseball team; and enjoys hunting ducks, deer, and doves. He was excited for school to start back, mostly for football, P.E., and the start of the fall rodeo season.
“You can’t beat the adrenaline when you’re about to get on,” he said of riding bareback horses. “God gave me the ability to ride, so I’m going to do the best that I can. I love to compete!” His favorite motivational quote comes from the Bible “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13. He prepares for rodeos by staying in shape, working out, getting on the bucking machine and spur board, as well as getting on practice horses. He gets on practice horses at Joey Aybur’s house where his dad and cousin Colt Kitalis help him practice. Colt helped him find the right gear and get on his first bareback horse. During practice he tries to focus on doing everything right; keeping his body square, tucking his chin, lifting, and setting his feet. He spends all of his free time practicing and strives to get on the bucking machine daily, however, between football and schoolwork he doesn’t always get to.
Besides getting to ride bucking horses and seeing his friends, he also enjoys the traveling aspect of rodeos. He liked traveling north in places like Colorado and Wyoming when he went to nationals, and getting to see all the mountains. “It’s not like that where I’m from” he said. “It’s mostly flat with rice fields and swamps close by.” Waylon is hoping to get a rodeo scholarship somewhere like Magnese or LSUA but hasn’t decided on a career path. This upcoming year his only goal is to do better. National High School Rodeo finals was his favorite rodeo throughout the year, even though he wishes he would have been in the short go he was still proud to make it there and represent Louisiana High School Rodeo Association. Competing in the National High School Rodeo Finals is a milestone shared by several members of the Boureouis family, Waylon’s father ended up 4th the year he went, and his uncle, Keith Bourgeouis, has won the event twice as a teenager. Waylon is proud to follow along in his family’s footsteps.