story by Terry Rhodes
He has been in the Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association for several years and has good things to say about the group. “I like that the rodeos are close to the house, are well organized and run, and they pay four places. I’ll get to about 10 or 15 of the RMPRA rodeos each year. I do really enjoy being a part of the association.”
Growing up in the Hannum family it was only natural that Jake would follow the tradition. His father, Jack Hannum was a five-time NFR qualifier, served for many years as an administrator for the PRCA, and was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2015. “My dad was always my biggest influence. He taught me everything and about training horses. He was always there to help us out. I had a brother and sisters that rodeod; everyone in my family rodeoed and I started off roping when I was a sophomore in high school. I went to Vernon College for two years and rodeoed on a scholarship. Then, I went to Weber State University and rodeoed there.”
His method of preparing for competition is that of clearing his mind and taking things one step at a time. “I’m pretty much a veteran at this but I still have to make myself ready to respond to the situation, and let things happen. I try to take it slow and do one thing at time, that’s the best way. I’ve been blessed with having good horses, and that’s a big part of it. I played a lot sports in high school and that taught me how to deal with the pressure situations. I use that pressure to help me perform better.”
His go-to horses today are Emmett, an 11-year-old-buckskin and a bay called, Tex. “Emmett is from Matt Kennedy and I’ve been using him for the last three years. I have always liked the reining cow, cutting horse breeding for calf horses. My good horse is by Royal Fletch and is from the Moncrief Ranch in Weatherford, Texas. He won second at the cutting futurity in Fort Worth as a three year old.”
Jake,35, and his wife, Ashlee make their home in Plain City, Utah with their three boys, Krew,7, Nash, 4, and Jax 1 1/2. During the week Jake is busy riding horses, taking care of his feedlot calves, working on the home place, or spending time with the family. “The most enjoyable things to do are going to my kids games, or maybe doing some fishing.” Jake’s goals are to do more horse training and be a supportive dad to his boys as they grow up.
The Holy Grail that nearly all in rodeo seek, but few are able to find, is making the NFR. Jake Hannum did just that in 2007. The achievement is not taken lightly by Jake. “Going to the National Finals was probably the biggest thing that ever happened to me in my life.”
Throughout his rodeo career he has had numerous wins and successes, too many to list here. But for Jake there is one other moment in his career that stands out as being one of those times that last forever. “I tied a calf in 6.8 at the Calgary Stampede and I won the performance that day and then went on stage to get my prizes. I had my little boys with me. That was the fastest calf I ever tied and best run I ever made.”
