story by Riata Cummings
For as long as he can remember, Jackson Woolsey has been attending the Ogden Pioneer Day’s Rodeo with his parents, Jared and Lisa Woolsey, and his older sisters, Courtney and Bailey. When he was in first grade, he rode a sheep in the mutton bustin’ there, and a few years ago he watched his sister Bailey win the Miss Rodeo Utah crown at that rodeo. Now, the family attends the rodeo with love for the sport and pride in the community.
Jackson grew up running to rodeos and queen contests all over the state watching his sisters. He has now created a rodeo legacy of his own while competing in the boy’s cow cutting, reined cow horse, team roping and tiedown roping through the Utah High School Rodeo Association.
Jackson is a senior at Morgan High School, and he enjoys his European history class. He is very involved in the Morgan FFA Chapter, and is currently serving as the chapter president. He competes in the livestock and dairy judging, as well as the parliamentary procedure contest. Jackson also runs the hurtles for his school’s track team. He enjoys “working out with friends at practice and being part of the school.”
When Jackson gets out of school every afternoon, he returns to his home in Morgan, Utah, to saddle and ride his four horses; Oakley, Bill, Martin and Spook. He also ropes almost every evening.
Last year, Jackson was sitting eighth in the cutting headed into state finals. After placing in all three rounds and finishing second in the average, Jackson tied for 4th in the state and qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo. This year, he has set a goal to qualify for state in each of his events and to qualify for nationals again.
One of Jackson’s heroes is his sister Bailey. After breaking her back in a car accident in 2013 and not being able to ride for months, she came back the following year to win the Miss Rodeo Utah crown. “Bailey is so strong and determined. She has always been a great example, and she reminds me to work for my dreams and keep striving forward.” Another one of Jackson’s role models is his sister Courtney. Courtney works as a respiratory therapist at Primary Children’s Hospital. “She gets to help people and see amazing things happen. I want a chance to do that too.” After graduating high school, Jackson would like to attend Utah State University or the University of Utah to earn the preliminary education of a physician’s assistant. Eventually he would like to assist an orthopedic surgeon.
Jackson lives by the saying, “Think before you speak.” That has helped him with his rodeo career by reminding him to ask meaningful questions while working with his mentors. It has also helped him make friends at the rodeos and build better relationships with the people in his life.
One of Jackson’s greatest strengths is his tendency to observe all that happens around him. “I watch and analyze what is happening in order to make the best decisions. It has helped me become an effective leader in my FFA chapter, and it helps me learn from everyone around me.”
Jackson would like to thank his mentors, including his family members, for helping him. “They have influenced my life tremendously. I am grateful for them and for their influence in helping me become the person I am today.”
