story by Lily Weinacht
Hadley Cloward drove 15 hours from Levelland, Texas, where he’s attending South Plains College, to South Jordan, Utah, for his third RMPRA finals in November. The miles and hard work added up to a year-end title when he won 2018 RMPRA Team Roping Champion Heeler, his first in the association. “I knew I had a chance, but I knew I still needed to do my job—it’s never over until it’s over in team roping,” says Hadley. The 22-year-old calls Castle Dale, Utah, his home, and for the last three years, he’s competed in the RMPRA through the summer and college rodeoed. “I roped with my brother, Hayden, and Brodi Jones and they did outstanding all year for me and gave me chance after chance. I couldn’t do it without them. They’re (the RMPRA) offering more added money and getting more contestants everywhere we go, and there’s two to three rodeos a weekend that are pretty close. They’re good people and good contractors to work with.”
Hadley grew up riding horses and working on his family’s cattle ranch, then junior high rodeoed for a year, followed by four years high school rodeoing for Utah. He and Hayden, who is three years younger, finished third in the nation team roping together at the 2015 NHSFR. “Rodeo’s a huge commitment and it takes a team for sure,” says Hadley. “The love of the sport and the lifestyle, and the people you meet along the way are just as important as the sport. It’s a team effort and you can’t make it with just one person.” Among Hadley’s greatest supporters are his parents, Cory and Shannon Cloward, who both rodeoed. “Justin Truman’s helped me a lot getting started in rodeoing and learning to rope, and Brady Ramone, who just married my sister (Haylie) is a #9 heeler and helps me with rodeoing. My college coach, KC Curtis, has helped me a lot, and my parents for sure, and my brother pushes me in the practice pen every day.”
The brothers also rope together on the South Plains College rodeo team, and they’re currently sitting third in the Southwest Region. In early February, Hadley also competed in the San Antonio College Showdown, which he won in 2018, an event that takes one team from each college in the region. He’s attending SPC on a full-ride rodeo scholarship, and has an associate of science degree, as well as all of his certifications in welding. “I’d like to rodeo and then have my own welding rig and do that on the side, and maybe own my own business.” Hadley filled his PRCA permit in 2017 and plans to rodeo on the Wilderness Circuit with Hayden next year, while they also rope together in the WSTR in the #14. “I’ll rope in the 13s with some other guys, and I’m hoping to hit more of those this year and go down to Vegas.”
Whenever Hadley is home in Utah, he works on his family’s ranch, and enjoys going to the mountains with them and hunting. He’s also trained several horses, including his 10-year-old palomino gelding, Oops, and 5-year-old sorrel mare, Moon. “Those are the two that I rode all year long last year, and that was Moon’s first year getting seasoned for college rodeos and pro rodeos. She impressed me and did really good. I trained both of them, and it makes it that much more special when you can win on one you stawrted and finished.
“I’d like to make the circuit finals and college finals, and keep on with the RMPRA, and pro rodeo,” says Hadley. “I’d like to thank my sponsors, Cactus Ropes, 7 Arrows Equine, and Total Roper; and my parents and everyone who stands behind me, because without them it wouldn’t be possible. And without God, none of it would be possible. He’s number one.”
