By Lily Weinacht
Colter Johnson from White City, Kan., competes in sheep riding, barrel racing, goat tail untying, and dummy roping in the KJRA. But for the seven year old, grabbing a fistful of wool and riding to the buzzer is a highlight of each rodeo, and he even admits to enjoying the occasional sheep that rolls over on him. “I think the highlight for Colter is getting dressed up in all of his gear,” says Janon Johnson, Colter’s mom. “We attended a sheep riding clinic, which was awesome, and I’m constantly calling my brother for help,” she adds. Her brother, Lucas Dick, is a bull rider in the CPRA and Jimmy Crowther’s New Frontier Rodeos, and he’s always ready to give his nephew a hand.
A member of the KJRA since he was four, Colter is finding his stride in the sport this summer. “Colter is starting to get more competitive and consistent, and he has lots of friends in the KJRA,” says Janon. “He always wants to know how a certain person did at the last rodeo, and he’s really good about going with the flow!” Colter was first inspired to rodeo by his 12-year-old sister, Chancy, who also competes in the KJRA, along with the KJHSRA. She qualified for the NJHFR for the first time this summer, while also going to several 4-H horse shows. Their dad, Chad Johnson, competes in ranch rodeos, while their mom has run barrels. Both parents join them in the arena for practice several times a week. They brought home a Shorty roping dummy by Bach Roping from Des Moines, Iowa, and both Colter and Chancy have spent many hours roping the new dummy.
The Johnsons make their home on their ranch outside of White City, with their dogs, horses, and cattle. Colter is often at work with his dad, doing chores like hauling salt and mineral for the cattle. He and Chancy share the family’s 17-year-old gelding, Rebel, Colter using him for the barrel racing and goat tail untying, and Chancy competing on him in the breakaway roping. When the ranch work is finished for the day, and Janon is home from working in town, the family gathers in the arena for practice. Colter and Chancy also enjoy riding their bikes in the barn, which has the only concrete on their property. And though he also likes playing computer games, Colter is more likely to be found outside, riding four wheelers, swimming, and playing basketball and baseball on several local teams. He also plans to start 4-H next year.
This fall, Colter will be a first grader at White City School, and while he is excited to start school, rodeo season is still the highlight of the year. One of his favorite rodeos was in Council Grove, where he rode a sheep for six seconds for the first time. While Chancy dreams of rodeoing through high school and becoming a professional barrel racer, Colter would also like to rodeo as he gets older, though he has his eye on winning a buckle in the KJRA first.
