story by Lindsay King
“Rodeo is something that I absolutely love and would not pick another world to live in other than rodeo. I love the sport and the horses, I love it all. It is an amazing feeling to get to grow up in it,” said 12-year-old Payton Dingman from Pryor, Oklahoma. The breakaway roper and goat tier can’t pick her favorite event, they are both high intensity and fun for her. She has always loved rodeo, taking after her dad Troy who also grew up in it. “I have just done it since I was little because of my dad. My mom, Braidie, was never in rodeo, but she has been a big part of it all. She has learned a lot and helped me learn a lot too.”
Easily the biggest influence, and Payton’s heroes, are her parents. “They coach me and push me really hard because they know how good I am, and they want to see me succeed. That alone helps me a lot, just that they believe in me and my skills.” This drive is what propelled Payton to winning a state title in breakaway roping this year and taking reserve in goat tying. Her trip to nationals was nothing short of extraordinary, but she pulled up short in the final round. “I did not draw the best in breakaway or goat tying, but I tried my hardest. I was really proud when I made it to the short round in the goats. Even though I got a no time, it made me want to come back this year and work even harder.”
Coincidentally, the OKJHSRA events are her favorite to compete in throughout the year. “I have made some really great friends there that will last a lifetime and the competition has made me better and more tough. It is easily my favorite rodeo association to compete in.” Also a regular in the OJRA, Indian rodeos, Little Britches, Roy Cooper and Joe Beavers, Payton comes back in her seventh grade year with bigger and better goals. “Now that I know what to expect this year I can go into it a lot harder and be more aggressive. I want to win a state championship in goat tying and breakaway and then win at nationals of course.”
Her ultimate goal is to ride into the dome at the American and win it all. She wants to hold the giant check on the big stage after competing on an all-new level. “The level of competition is a really big deal to me. My dream is to win the American. And become a world champion in the breakaway and goats when that is possible.” The self-proclaimed “bossy” seventh grader sees becoming a judge in the court of law as a solid career choice for herself. “I like things to be in order and done right, I am very structured. I just feel like it would be a really good job for me.”
The Adair Middle School Warrior is an avid athlete, mostly in the name of rodeo. “Running is my favorite because it helps me stay in shape and fit for my goat tying and all that.” Running the longer distance races in track in addition to cross country, Payton also plays basketball in the winter. At school, history is her favorite subject since she likes to “learn about the past and how things were done in the old days.” And when time allows, she hunts and fishes with her parents as well as singing solos at church. “One of the coolest things to happen to me was when I got to say the prayer at the American Royal two years ago. I simply could not make it in life without the direction of God, he has been a big part of me and my family.”
