Story by Payton Walter
For 13-year-old Jaxon, rodeo has been apart of his life for as long as he can remember. This is a young man who knows the meaning of All-Around Cowboy. Having competed in Barrels, Poles, Flags, Goat Tying, Team Roping, Tie Down, Break Away, and Steer Riding, there is not much this cowboy hasn’t done. Competing in such a wide variety of events has offered many opportunities for Jaxon to acquire some pretty impressive awards. This last year Jaxon competed in the Junior High 2019 Finals, placed 22nd in the world at Nationals, and won the CJRA saddle for Tie Down and the Average. His greatest memory and most proud achievement though is winning his trailer at the age of 9 at the 2015 Youth Elk Rodeo as the All-Around Cowboy, which is an award given to the competitor who achieves the highest score in 5 events on the same horse. Beyond these awards and titles though, Jaxons says that his favorite thing about rodeo is “just having my horse with me.” To this young man, rodeo is so much more than an event, it’s a way of life. Any time that there is an opportunity to be on his horse and in the arena you can bet your spurs he’ll be there. You can find this cowboy at the Cheyenne Frontier Days PRCA, sorting cattle and cleaning the arena as he lends a helping hand to his fellow rodeo members.
This passion is not only found on the rodeo circuit though but is evident in every area of Jaxon’s life. Attending McCormick Junior High as a 7th grader, Jaxon participates in football, basketball, and wrestles. Here he puts in the same hard work and determination as he does in the arena.
With such an active life for a 13-year-old, Jaxon says that his favorite times are those he spends with his family. Jaxon comes from a family of 6 children, 13-year-old brother Teagan, 10-year-old brother and sister Juddy and Taislee, and 6-year-old brother Jayton and 5-year-old brother Tayt. Being the oldest child Jaxon takes his role as Big Brother very seriously. In everything this young man does he involves his brothers and sister. Rodeo is one such event that the entire family has enjoyed for many years. Jaxon’s parents, step dad, Nate and Amy Jo started their boys out rodeoing at very young ages and taught them to love this event and this way of life. Walking in his big brother’s footsteps, Jaxon’s younger brother Juddy has also won the Youth Elk Rodeo All-Around Cowboy in 2018 at the same age of 9, and on the same horse as his big brother.
Having such a tight-knit family makes the holiday season ever more bright and cheery. Jaxon says that his favorite Thanksgiving tradition is when the entire family gathers together and makes turkeys out of vegetables and paper. On the feathers of these masterpieces, each member writes what they are most thankful for, which Jaxon says for himself is his family and horse.
Jaxon says that the one thing he wants for Christmas is to “meet new people, see new places, and spend time with my family” on the Christmas cruise they will be taking together this year.
Jaxon is a true All-Around Cowboy. Not only in the arena but also outside the rodeo and especially in his family. This cowboy strives to live out his favorite Bible verse, John 14:2, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” as he faces life without fear. With the dream of being a Rodeo Cowboy and making it to the big shots, this young man is keeping his eye on the price, giving it all he’s got, and keeping the things that he loves most, like his family and horse, first in his life. That’s a true All-Around Cowboy.
