story by Riata Cummings
Kamryn Rupp is the daughter Adrienne and Barry Rupp of small town Genola, Utah. She is the youngest of their children and a younger sister to Chase and Brodee. The family enjoys going to rodeos together, and Kamryn loves being the youngest child. Kamryn attends Payson High School as a senior, where she enjoys the critical thinking and mystery of her sociology and psychology classes. She hopes to study psychology next year at Dixie State University. She also hopes to compete in college rodeo.
Kamryn grew up around horses, but her focus was on gymnastics until a few friends encouraged her to start rodeoing at 11 or 12-years-old. She quickly became fond of the friendly competition, rodeo family and opportunities to meet new friends. Kamryn now competes in the barrel racing and goat tying, the former being her favorite. “Not everyone competes in goat tying, and it’s a less common skill. I love the adrenaline rush of it though, from both events.”
Kamryn’s horses are Shake-N-Bake in the barrel racing and Gypsy in the goat tying. She loves both of her four-legged partners, who “give their all in every run.” Her first year competing in rodeo, Kamryn won a buckle in the barrel racing, and has since grown as a horsewoman and competitor. This year she hopes to beat her personal best in the goat tying and qualify for state finals in both of her events.
Her hero is her Grandma Kelly who competed in rodeo as a successful athlete. One day, Kamryn would like to replicate her grandmother’s nature as a “hard working, driven, positive person who is always willing to help other people.” One of Kamryn’s greatest strengths is her outgoing personality and ability to make new friends. This has helped her begin to emulate her grandmother because she strives to be kind to her friends and helpful to everyone around her.
Kamryn’s advice to rodeo rookies is to “get your priorities straight. Find a balance between friends and school and rodeo and know what you care about most. Then, be willing to work hard for whatever it is you want.”
Kamryn would like to thank her parents and family for their support of her rodeo dreams. “Thank you for always getting me to the rodeo and making sure I’m ready in every way.” Kamryn is grateful for the opportunity to compete in rodeo and for the people who make it possible.
