story by Siri Stevens
Addison Gautreaux lives on a 4th generation farm outside Opelousas, Louis., where she is surrounded by cattle and horses, but once was cotton, sweet potatoes, and corn. She entered her first flag race when she was 18 months old, and now she works with five horses and competes in barrel racing, breakaway roping, ribbon roping, and pole bending. “I like breakaway the best,” said Addi, who competes in the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association, Junior Division. Penny and Kevin are her rope horses; Lena and Bae for poles, and Hemi is the barrel horse. “I’m training a young breakaway horse with the help of my coach, Brandon Guillot.” She trained her pole horse as well. “I’ve learned patience through training horses,” said the 7th grader who attends St. Ignatius Catholic School. She always reminds herself that God is greater than the highs and lows.
She is in her third year in the junior high division. Last year she made it to Nationals in Ribbon Roping and breakaway roping, going to Georgia as reserve state champion ribbon roper and third in breakaway roping and ending the year in the top twenty in the nation in ribbon roping. “Going was a good experience – to catch up with friends and see so much talent. It made me want to come home and work harder.”
Her mom, Amy, competed in the Louisiana High School rodeo in 1998-2202 in breakaway roping and team roping. She went on to get her Cosmetology license. She opened a salon at the farm, Amy’s Country Cuttery, which she has operated for 20 years. “It’s good to work right here on the farm,” she said. “I can tend to animals if need be and my dad and mom still live here.” Addi’s dad, Grant, didn’t compete in rodeo, but grew up around the influence of ranching around his uncles in Washington, Louisiana. Addi has a younger brother, Ross, who plays golf and football. He plans to join the association in the shooting sports. “Addi is such a hard worker – and she’s extremely humble. She gets up at 5:30 to feed horses and practices and feeds until at least 10 at night.”
Addie has been roping since she was 6, perfecting her skills with the help of coaches, videos, and her latest, working out. “I told my mom I wanted to start working out, so we are all working out,” she said. “We’ve been working with a trainer since July, and I’ve got more core strength and shoulder strength; I can get my tip down when I’m roping.” She ropes with a Stem Grass 9.5 King Rope.
Her rodeo goal is to go pro one day. She’s preparing for that by working out, roping every day, riding, exercising horses, listening to mental podcasts, and watching tons of videos of the pros. “Watching people like Amanda Coleman, Macon and Josey Murphy – just watching them makes me want to be better.”
“I thank God for the best horses a girl could ask for and the most supportive family and coaches. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for my mom and dad, my family, and coaches. I have currently won 10 saddles and tons of buckles; but better than all that; lots of great memories and lessons on life.”
