story by Riata Cummings
Ryter Ekker is the son of Tyson and Teri Ekker from small-town Elmo, Utah. He has an older brother named Will, and together the family enjoys going shooting, hunting, fishing, and rodeoing. Ryter is an 8th grader at Canyon View Middle School and enjoys his math and art classes. One day he would like to use his mathematical talent as an engineer, and he spends his free time drawing deer, elk, or other animals.
This will be Ryter’s third year competing in the light rifle through the Utah Junior High School Rodeo Association. His 6th-grade year, he finished second in the state and 9th in the world. Last year he was second in the state and 8th in the world. This year Ryter is leading the pack and hopes to take the state title and win the world at the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo.
Ryter practices his shooting as often as he can, both mentally and physically. When he can’t make it to the shooting range, he does dry-fire drills at his home, conditioning his muscles to hold his gun steady and his mind to focus on the target.
Shooting differs from other rodeo events because it requires a different level of mental concentration and physical dedication. “We don’t ride horses. Instead, we are at the line lying prone, kneeling, or standing. We have to concentrate every shot, and unlike the other events, we are on the line competing and focusing for as long as an hour and a half.” Shooting has very similar roots to other rodeo events, though, because horsemanship and marksmanship are the skills of ranchers and part of the western way of life.
Being a part of the rodeo community and competing in the shooting has taught Ryter to “handle more responsibilities and to have fun in the middle of competing.” He loves that the rodeo community in Utah is “very tight, always there to support each other, and celebrates the accomplishments of others.”
Ryter lives by the saying, “Make this shot count.” To him, it applies not only to his shooting, but to all aspects of life. “If something goes wrong or if your shot is off target, you have to bring yourself back. You have to regain your focus and make the next try better.” One of the hardest things Ryter has had to do is shoot during lousy weather. Those experiences taught him how important it is to “stay out there, stay confident and calm, don’t get frustrated, and always do your best.”
Ryter’s hero is his father, who has been a constant support and guide. One day Ryter would like to follow in Tyson’s footsteps as a dedicated father and talented civil engineer. Ryter would like to be known as someone “willing to help other people. A friendly and nice kind of guy.” He would like others to see that he is willing to help and would go out of his way to make someone’s day easier.
Ryter would like to thank his father for taking on the challenges of competition at Ryter’s side, his mother for encouraging and assisting him, and his grandparents for supporting him as he pursues his dreams.
