story by Riata Cummings
Hailing from Payson, Utah, Saige Campbell is the 14-year-old daughter of Tammy and Chad Campbell. She has an older brother, Cayden, a twin brother Parker, and a younger sister, Harlee. Together they spend time camping, hunting, going on trail rides, going to baseball games, and at rodeos. Saige is and eighth grader at Mount Nebo Junior High School, and she especially enjoys being active during her P.E. class. Outside of rodeo her hobbies include watching baseball, spending time with her friends, and playing the piano. One day she would like to become a horse trainer and professional barrel racer.
Initially Saige’s interest in horses led her to compete in horse 4-H and horse showing. After deciding that wasn’t where her interests were, she turned to Jr. High Rodeo. She competes in the barrel racing and pole bending on a horse named Spiderman. She competes in various jackpots and local rodeos and has won a good share of money doing the things she loves. Saige would one day like to qualify the Junior NFR and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Rodeo has taught Saige that she can do hard things. The challenge of the sport has taught her to set goals and work to accomplish them. She knows the value of dedication and works to gain and maintain the skill necessary to be successful in the rodeo arena. Saige’s heroes are Fallon Taylor and Amberly Snyder, who have both overcome immensely challenging circumstances to become professional barrel racers. She looks up to their dedication to succeed and their willingness to help others find success. Saige lives by the simple saying, “dream big”. She knows that to accomplish big things you must set your sights high and work hard.
The Utah Junior High School Rodeo Association is full of generous and friendly people, and the positive environment has helped Saige develop one of her greatest strengths—kindness. She strives to be kind to her fellow competitors and her horses, no matter what happens in the arena. She would eventually like to be remembered as someone who loved her horses and was kind to everyone around her. Saige would like to thank her trainers, Kacey Kalmar and Jen Jolly, for their help in the arena. She is grateful for their advice and encouragement as she navigates a challenging period of life and would like to thank them for always being there for her. Saige is grateful for the opportunity to compete in the sport she loves and hopes to be successful as she continues down the rodeo road.
