story by Kendra Eller
“The horse is made ready for battle, but victory rests the Lord.” -Proverbs 21:31
23-year-old Hunter McLean, from Enumclaw, Washington, rode his first horse at the age of three. By six years old, his grandmother (Karla) gave him a rope. Growing up near his step-grandparents ranch, Karla and Steve showed Hunter how to work hard. Calf roping is his favorite event because of the connection shared with his horse. “I love the athleticism and the horsemanship,” Hunter said. “Calf roping helps me appreciate a good horse.” Hunter said he knew he would calf rope forever as a middle schooler. “5 throws later, I knew what I was going to do for the rest of my life,” Hunter said. “It was like a bolt of lightning hit me.”
Hunter bought a horse trailer using his high school graduation money and entered his first rodeo. “I used my high school graduation money to buy a weekend horse trailer,” Hunter said. “I entered my first rodeo at the age of 18. I placed in calf roping, it was quite the eye opener and confidence booster.” Hunter’s parents, Lenny (Dad) and Janine (Stepmom), unaware at the time he was traveling to rodeos. “I knew I had to tell my parents at some point about rodeoing,” Hunter said. “My dad was stoked for me and my mom was proud of me for figuring it out on my own.” His mom (Becky) and step-dad (Robb) support his love for rodeoing as well his younger sister, Gaige, 14, two-time Canadian World Champion. Hunter said her heart and dedication radiates. “I really look up to my sister,” Hunter said. “She is a huge inspiration to me, and I am very proud of her hard work ethic.”
Hunter attended Central Washington College in Ellensberg, Washington for a semester. He went to Auctioneer school in Billings, Montana and moved back home to start his fencing company. He now rodeos for the Idaho Cowboys Association. “ICA co-sanctions with other associations around me,” Hunter said. “Which makes it easier to build points.” He said the ICA has amazing hospitality and staff. “I want to thank the Idaho Cowboys Association for coordinating the rodeos,” Hunter said.
Covid-19 helped him create a structure in his life. “I wake up early to tie up calves, and rope the dummy,” Hunter said. “I utilize my time to get better while there are no rodeos going on.” He works on the ranch, runs his fencing company and is preparing for hay season. “In the agriculture industry,” Hunter said. “Nothing slows down. We have to continue to provide and prepare.”
The downtime has Hunter thinking about his future goals. “I hope to make Ram Circuit Finals,” Hunter said. “I also would like to make top 40 and go to all of the major rodeos: Denver, Fort Worth, Houston, San Angelo, etc.” Later in life, Hunter wants to help kids accomplish their dreams. “I have met a lot of kids that I see potential in,” Hunter said. “They remind me of myself when I was younger.”
Hunter said he enjoys fly fishing and riding younger horses. “Fly fishing has similar fundamentals as calf roping,” Hunter said. “That is one reason I enjoy it.” He said if he could spend one day with a celebrity, it would be the Rock. “He is always hustling and getting better,” Hunter said. “I find the Rock to be motivating.” His favorite quote by the Rock is, “You cannot sleep eight hours and be a millionaire.”
Hunter wants to continue learning and soon get his rookie card. “I want to move to Texas,” Hunter said. “Sharpen my skills and bump elbows with the best in the world.” Hunter said he is blessed to have grown up in the town of Enumclaw. “This town shaped me,” Hunter said. The 23-year-old said he believes the only thing that stands between you and your goals is you. “Never be afraid to learn and break out of your shell.”
