story by Michele Toberer
The Evans family of Yuma, Colorado is enjoying the Colorado Junior High Rodeo Association three times as much as most. That’s because they have three children competing in the association; Coy, just finished his 7th grade season while his brother and sister, Cassidy and Cash, were competing in their rookie year as 6th graders. The three homeschooled CJHRA members made their marks on the season standings and the family is preparing for their trip to the NJHSFR.
Coy, who is 14 years old, started competing in rodeo in 2012 and has given multiple events a try over the years. This season he competed in team roping, ribbon roping, tie-down roping, and light rifle shooting. He finished the season as the 2019 CJHSRA Reserve Champion Heeler, 3rd place in tie-down and light rifle, and is preparing to go to nationals in all three events. Coy’s favorite event is team roping and he was glad to have his brother, Cash, for a partner this season. “It’s been a pretty good year, and now we’re practicing every day and trying to strengthen our weak spots.” Coy hopes to follow in his parents’ footsteps for his future and would like to rodeo or ranch for a living when he’s older. “I really appreciate my family and everyone that has supported me, especially my Lord and Savior.”
Thirteen-year-old twins, Cash and Cassidy both had a stellar first season with the CJHSRA, winning cowboy and cowgirl champion rookie all-around titles for 2019. Cash worked both ends of the arena, competing in breakaway roping, team roping, goat tying, ribbon roping, and saddlebronc steer riding. Keeping it in the family, not only does he head for Coy, but his runner for ribbon roping is his sister, Cassidy. Besides winning the rookie title, Cash was also named the 2019 CJHSRA Reserve Champion All-Around Cowboy, and will be heading to nationals in saddlebronc steers, breakaway and team roping. His favorite school subject is science and he’d like to college rodeo one day like his dad did, possibly attending Texas Tech University before making a career in rodeo. “I would love to rodeo for a living, that would be my dream.” Cash appreciates his parents and grandparents for supporting him in all he does.
Cassidy, the only daughter in the Evans crew, started competing in rodeo in 2013. She spent her rookie season in CJHSRA competing in every event possible; pole bending, barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping, ribbon roping, and goat tying. Her success in each of those events led her to not only the rookie title, but also the 2019 CJHSRA Champion All-Around Cowgirl title. She’ll also be competing in three events at nationals after finishing the season as the champion pole bender, reserve champion barrel racer and fourth place team roper with her heeler, Sam Gallagher. “It was definitely rewarding to win the all-around title after working so hard at all of my events this year. My favorite event is pole bending and I’m really looking forward to that event at nationals.” Cassidy enjoys learning about science and hopes to become a veterinarian one day.
The Evans kids share some special horses for most of their events; Cash and Cassidy both head on Capitan, and Pepsi is a gelding that is used for ribbon roping and tie-down for Coy, breakaway and ribbon roping for Cash, and breakaway for Cassidy. Cash and Cassidy also share a mare named Mocha for goat tying, and Cassidy runs barrels and poles on Hotshot. All the horses are also used by the kids to help with typical ranch chores like gathering, branding, and doctoring.
The Evans children live with their parents, Megan and Chris, and their 6-year-old brother, Cross, who has started rodeoing this year. Chris, who team roped and tie-down roped during high school and college manages a cow-calf operation for the Hickert family in Akron, Colorado. “We have established some really strong friendships in the CJHSRA. It’s a great environment to raise our kids in and teach them how to compete. We have a lot in common with the other families and once the rodeo is done, we can enjoy social time with people we enjoy being around.”