Abby McCreary, a breakaway roper from Canyon, Texas, said she heard about Team Cavender’s when Jeff Howell, from the Cavender’s in Amarillo, Texas, encouraged her to apply.
“We were just in Cavender’s to shop one day, and he said, ‘Hey, have you applied for Team Cavender’s?'” she said. “He put me down as a reference and told me I’d be a great fit.”
Though the application process was delayed for a year, McCreary said she finally joined the youth team and has enjoyed every moment.
“Summit was a blast. I had so much fun with everyone. The team bonding and listening to all the speakers was amazing,” she said. ‘It was a different experience than anything I’ve ever had before.”
McCreary’s journey into the world of rodeo began at a young age. A third-generation rancher, she said her passion for roping runs deep.
“My granddad owns a ranch, and my dad ranched a little bit, and we still kind of do, but it’s hard with how much we travel for rodeo,” she said.
McCreary said her father, Kevin McCreary, introduced her to roping early on. “I’ve been a breakaway roping off a horse since I was 5,” she added.
While rodeo is McCreary’s primary focus, she said she is also active in other sports and youth clubs. She participates in basketball, golf, track, and cross-country. She is also an officer in FFA and is involved in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
Balancing so many activities requires discipline and time management, but McCreary said she handles it well.
“It’s pretty stressful, but my coaches are super great about it,” she says. “They know that rodeo comes before anything else, and they understand when I need to miss practice.”
Despite the hectic schedule, McCreary is determined to pursue both her education and her passion for rodeo at the next level. She plans to attend West Texas A&M University, where she will join the rodeo team while studying animal science. The proximity to home is a huge benefit, she added, as it allows her to continue roping with her father.
“I kind of get to take my coach with me to college with my dad being right here to help me,” she said.
She is glad to be close to home so she can continue to support her younger brother, Cutter McCreary, who is just 11.
“He just started team roping,” McCreary said. “It’s funny because I try to give him tips on his rope swing, and he doesn’t listen to me. But that sibling love always shines through, even if we roll our eyes at each other.” This close-knit dynamic is a big part of why McCreary enjoys rodeo. She is grateful for the time spent with her family, even when it is in a cramped horse trailer for weeks at a time.
McCreary said her mother, Jamie McCreary, has never competed in rodeo, but she plays a vital role in the family’s success.
“My mom is great. She makes sure we have everything we need, like food and blankets, and keeps track of all the videos and times at the rodeos,” McCreary said. “We call her our bleacher babe.”
McCreary is considering a career in veterinary medicine, potentially in equine medicine, but she is still organizing the details of completing her education and chasing rodeos.
“I’ve always wanted to be a vet, but I have not decided yet,” McCreary said. “Rodeo and vet school could be a full plate, so I’m going to take my time figuring it out.”
