above: RMPRA member Sonya Madsen with family – Busath Studio & Gardens
story by Terry Rhodes
It would be hard to find a better example of how rodeo keeps families together than Sonya Madsen and her family. “We make it a family affair with three of us going to RMPRA rodeos. Both my son, Briggs and my daughter, Hayden compete in the RMPRA. I like the association because the people are really friendly, the rodeos are usually pretty close, and it’s a well run association. And the rodeos are pretty tough because there are pro competitors that go to the RMPRA.” Sonya is also a member of the NBHA and Best in The West.
But there’s more to the family rodeo togetherness story. Her husband, Doug is a former RMPRA member and competitor that still goes along to support and help out. And there are the two youngest Madsen’s; Kade, 11, and Josey, 9, that are just beginning to compete in junior rodeos. “Kade is riding miniature bulls and Josey runs barrels and poles and goat ties.“ Doug was injured 15 years ago at an RMPRA rodeo in the saddle broncs and he decided that since he had a family and business to run, he’d better focus on that.”
With two of her children competing, Sonya stays busy at RMPRA rodeos either helping Hayden or watching Briggs make a bronc or bull ride. This doesn’t leave a lot of time for her to get nervous or stressed about her own barrel run. “I feel like I’m constantly going between one or the other. I think I get more nervous when I watch the kids compete than when I compete.”
Sonya began to rodeo with the help of her family when she was growing up. “My brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts, all rodeoed. I came from a big rodeo family so I grew up in the middle of it. I started in high school rodeo and then went into the amateurs.”
Born and raised in Taylor, Utah, Sonya and her family live in Honeyville. Sonya rides and trains barrel racing futurity colts and says she likes to take some of the less experienced colts to RMPRA rodeos for more seasoning and let them get used the rodeo atmosphere. “Hayden will usually ride the more experienced horses to rodeo on. This way she’ll have the best horses to compete on in both the RMPRA rodeos and her high school rodeo.” Sonya’s father and brothers train race horses so Sonya has access to a steady supply of barrel horse prospects. “Being around race horses, I have gotten to know the brood lines and having a well bred horse gives you a better chance of coming up with a nice barrel horse. I like the Dash Ta Fame line.”
During the week, Sonya is busy riding and training four or five horses daily, helping the kids with practice, getting homework done, and then the day-to-day activities. Goals for the future are to continue to rodeo and find that good barrel horse that can take to her to pro rodeos. “I want to see my kids reach their goals and see them get to the National High School Rodeo Finals.”
