Being crowned the USTRC Cruel Champion is quite an accomplishment. And Shawn has done it twice now. The first time was in 2001, heading for Kelli Jo Shurden. This year Shawn headed for California cowgirl, Ali Bilkey. The pair bested the field with an aggregate time of 36.96 on four head, splitting $16,200 in prize money in addition to Martin saddles and a year’s supply of Cruel Girl Jeans.
Shawn can often be found in the winner’s circle, with recent wins at the Wiley Hicks roping in Amarillo, Texas. In 2013, she and Jennifer Williams were the Reserve All Girl Champs at the Wildfire Roping in Salado, Texas.
Oddly enough Shawn didn’t start team roping until college. She has been riding her entire life and started breakaway roping when she was ten. She qualified for High School National Finals more than once in both Breakaway and Goat Tying. She earned a rodeo scholarship and attended Howard College in Big Springs, Texas and Southwest Oklahoma State in Weatherford, Oklahoma. She qualified for the college finals in both Breakaway and Goat Tying. Once she started team roping, she discovered it was both enjoyable and profitable.
Shawn credits her parents for starting her roping as a kid. Her mom and dad, now retired, raise show cattle. Shawn grew up roping and stock showing. In addition to rodeo, during high school she played a variety of sports, including volleyball, basketball and track.
For the last five years Shawn has been a Petroleum Land Man where she researches titles with regard to mineral or surface rights. She also owns and operates Baby Cakes Bakery in Vernon, Texas, where she takes custom orders for cakes, cup cakes, cookies, etc.
If that’s not enough to keep her busy, she has four sons, Landon, 9, Hilton, 8, Paxton, 5, and Callon, 3. Shawn gives much credit to her family for helping out with her boys.
An ideal weekend for Shawn T. is spending time with her kids and helping her parents with their show cattle. She has recently taken up fishing and finds it very relaxing. She is very thankful to the Lord and her friends and family that have helped her accomplish her goals. She extends a special thanks to Christy, Terry, and Daniel McBroom.
COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
I try to practice three or four times a week.
Do you make your own horses?
No.
Who do you respect most in the world?
My Lord.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My father.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Relax. Maybe hunt or fish.
Favorite movie?
Steel Magnolias.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Determined, caring, happy.
What makes you happy?
My family and my Lord.
What makes you angry?
Negativity.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Invest it.
What is your worst quality? Your best quality?
My worst is being unorganized. My best is that I’m hard working.