RMPRA member, Colton Kofoed – Scootem N Shootem Photography
story by Terry Rhodes
Colton Kofoed is starting his third year with the Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo. He started in the association when he was 15 years old and was also competing in junior high and high school rodeo. He says the he likes the association because of how well run the rodeos are and how friendly all the people are that put on the rodeos. “The judges try to get to know everyone and create friendships and make everyone feel welcome.”
Colton just graduated from high school and is now preparing to begin a mission for his church. “I’m going to Argentina for a two year mission. I leave Oct. 7 and I’m excited about that.” This summer will be his last chance to rodeo for a while and he’s going to make the most of it. “My goal this summer is to win the RMPRA Calf Roping Championship. I have won it in 2013 and 2014. But this year I’ll have to win it without going to the Finals because I’ll be on my mission.”
Being the first in his family to compete in rodeo, Colton said he was drawn to calf roping. “All of my family has been in sports like basketball. But I was really interested in horses and roping and I had a buddy, A.C. Martin that roped. He and his dad, Justin Martin got me started roping at their place. Justin helped me the most in getting started.”
Colton says that his friend and NFR Qualifier, Jake Hannum has been his biggest influence in his rodeo career and has helped him a lot in his personal life. “He started out being an instructor to me and I feel like he’s more of a big brother to me now. A couple of years ago I broke my leg and was out for a year. Coming back from that was mentally a tough for me and that’s where Jake really helped me recover from that.” The break was of the tibia and fibula and spiral fracture. “I was supposed to wait six months to rope, but I only waited three and ended up breaking it again. I’ve got four screws in it now.”
Preparing for competition is something that Colton takes very seriously. “I used to get extremely nervous before I roped and now I have a personal trainer that I work out with everyday and we’ve been doing some training on how to control my mind. I try to focus on what I’m doing and block out everything else.” Colton enjoys the competition and pressure that goes with it. “Every time I make a run, I go for first place. I don’t hold back and pressure situations are where I rope at my best.” Just to make there is good mojo, Colton doesn’t eat anything yellow before his run and doesn’t carry any fifty dollar bills.
Colton has three horses that he ropes on. “I train all my own calf horses. My mom trains horses professionally so we have those to train for calf roping, Jake Hannum has helped with the training, too. Fred Whitfield took my buckskin mare to the NFR last year for a back up horse, so they’re pretty good horses.” Colton says that his sponsor, Total Cowboy has been a big part of his success and thanks them for their support.
He lives in Evanston, Wyo. where he was born and raised. His parents are Clyde and Tracy Kofoed. His typical work day includes sessions at the gym in both morning and evening. He’ll work his calf horses in the morning and ride colts in the afternoon.
Goals for the future, after his mission, are to go to college in Texas and at Weber State University. He plans to major in business and then rodeo professionally. “My dad is a businessman and it has always interested me in what he does and how he does it.”
