story by Lily Weinacht
Jr. Boy World Champion Breakaway Roper
“Rodeo’s just a passion I have. I’ve tried other sports before but wasn’t satisfied with it, and when I came to rodeo it really got me hooked,” says Matt Glover. “I’m hoping one day I can get into the PRCA and make it to the NFR.” The 15-year-old cowboy from Dry Creek, Louisiana, already has several world titles to his name, from his most recent win as the 2018 NLBRA Junior Boy World Champion Breakaway Roper, to 2017 NLBRA Junior Boy World Champion Heeler. He was also the NLBRA reserve world champion in goat tying in 2016. “Little Britches has taught me about work ethic and how important it is to do you work, and to help other kids and be a good role model to them,” says Matt.
Moving into the senior boy division for the 2019 season, he’s competing in tie-down roping, team roping with header Abigail James, and ribbon roping with Jaden Thomas. “I like the calf roping the most. It’s just a more challenging event and I have more of a passion for it.” Matt started riding when he was 10 and began competing in the NLBRA the following year in 2015 after learning about it from his local riding club. He qualified for the NLBFR in Pueblo, Colorado, that same year. “At first Matt hated being on horses, and one day, he said, ‘Mom, I think I want to learn to ride a horse.’ He got on a horse and hasn’t gotten off since,” says Karla Glover, Matt’s mom. “He’s learned and done everything on his own through the blessing of the rodeo family and people we’ve met.”
Among the people that inspire Matt are Jade Conner, his tie-down roping coach, and family friend Bobby Abernathy. “I’m thankful to Mr. Jade Conner who’s been a big contributor to my success and my roping, and my mom for moral and physical support and always driving me around. My dad (Eric Glover) has done a good job of giving me good horses and coaches, and I’m thankful for him and thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to be able to rodeo and homeschool, and get it all done at the same time,” says Matt. He started homeschooling in third grade, and he’s now a freshman and particularly enjoys his Bible classes.
Homeschooling also gives Matt the flexibility to compete in multiple rodeo associations, including the LRA, UPRA, Junior Calf Ropings, and THSRA Region 5, where he’s sitting in the top 10 in tie-down roping and team roping. He competed in the NJHFR in sixth and eighth grade, and is working hard to qualify for the NHSFR as a freshman. Matt’s sorrel 14-year-old mare, Classy, carried him to his breakaway roping title last year, and he’s tie-down roping this year on a bay gelding, Willie. He also heels and ribbon ropes on a 15-year-old gelding, Wonder.
If he’s not in the saddle, Matt enjoys fishing, from freshwater fishing around his house, to salt water fishing in Lake Charles and even offshore fishing in Florida with his dad. He also likes to travel, and hopes Wyoming and Oklahoma are on the itinerary this season. “This year I’d like to go to the High School Nationals in the tie-down and team roping, and I’d like to win the tie-down roping this year and team roping in Little Britches.”
