By Laurie Dineen
“Hard work pays off” says this 15-year-old Yuma, Co cowboy. Chadron Coffield, a CJRA member since the age of five, wrapped up his second year in the CJRA Senior Boy division this August with grit and determination. He ended the season with titles of Reserve Champion in Tie Down, Mixed Team Roping and Ribbon Roping, and was 4th in the Open Team Roping, landing him 3rd place in the Sr. Boys All Around for the year.
“Calf roping is my favorite event. I practice every day – whether it is tying calves to a post, on horseback or roping the bale. I believe you have to love what you are doing and be dedicated to be the best you can be to the best of your abilities,” says Chadron. “Sometimes that doesn’t make you the very best, but it gets you pretty close!”
“I am blessed to have such a wonderful family: my dad Mark, mom Irene and sister Teisha. I also have my cousin Shay Carroll as a role model, having made it to the NFR coming from a small town and being a CJRA member since he was small.” Chadron also looks up to his local family that practices with him, Jr. Meyers and Mary Bunker, who have been close friends of the family and offer encouragement and support in and out of the arena. And there are so many other people that have made a significant impact on Chadron’s life that he says it “would be hard to mention them all.”
As for the CJRA, Chadron says it has been a great stepping stone to get him to the next level of competition. “It is a community that takes care of its members and tries to help each individual become the best that they can be,” he says.
Chadron will continue his rodeo drive this fall and winter as he will compete at the CSHSRA. “I will continue to work to be the best I can be,” he says. “My goal is to make a clean sweep in all four of my events at the CJRA finals, and I have two more years to make that happen.”
As for Chadron’s long term goals he says that ever since he was little, he has wanted to win more gold buckles than Trevor Brazile. “As successful as he has been, as a person and in the arena, that would be the greatest,” says Chadron. “Ever since I can remember, Trevor has made an impact on so many people. If I can be like him, then I can make a big difference also.”
Chadron plans to rodeo as long as he can. He will participate in college rodeo while attending a four-year college, then go on to the pro rodeos. “I know college is yet another milestone and will help me to learn more about life and get me to a point to be able to buy a ranch and to be able to work and live off the land.”
