In the fast-paced world of rodeo, where the stakes are high and the competition is fierce, young athletes like Dillon Grote, an 18-year-old from Bennington, Oklahoma, must balance dedication, ambition and family support.
“Rodeo is a family affair,” said the young competitor. His mother, a former professional rodeo athlete, and his father, a cattle-showing winner, played a significant role in shaping his passion for the sport.
Photo Courtesy of Dillon Grote
“My mom got me into rodeo,” Grote said. “She made the college finals, won the CRRA, and really paved the way for me to take the next step.”
As a child, Grote said he would accompany her to competitions, eventually taking up the sport, and gradually working his way up.
“My dad won, my mom won,” he added. “I think winning was the only option. It just ran through the family.”
Grote said his parents’ unwavering support—especially his mother’s decision to step away from the rodeo world to focus on his training—has been a cornerstone of his career.
“She devoted all of her time to me,” he said. “I owe my parents all of my success.”
Grote said he first learned about the opportunity to join Team Cavender’s through his good friends, Kyan Wilhite, Luke Coleman, Colee Cox, Riley Edens and Coralie Massey.
“I just kind of saw the merch they were wearing, the jackets and stuff, and I thought it looked cool,” he recalled. After chatting with Kyan, Grote said he received the green light to apply. “Kyan texted Sydney, who told me about the application process. I filled it out, and then we talked at state finals.”
The young rodeo athlete said that Team Cavender’s isn’t just about the competition; it’s about building relationships. He added that the team provides valuable exposure and networking, opening doors to bigger opportunities.
“Not everyone gets to be on Cavender’s, so if you make it, it says something about you as a person and as a rodeo athlete,” he said.
Grote added that team members attended a media training day and had access to bigger sponsors, which gave him an edge in the sport.
Grote said he focuses on preparing for life after high school outside of rodeo. He is enrolled in a vocational technology program and added that learning a trade will set him up for success beyond rodeo.
“I’m in the HVAC class,” he said. “HVAC technicians and plumbers are projected to be among the highest-paid jobs in the next five years. It’s a good business to get into.”
The tech program allows students to complete roughly 1,050 hours of coursework over two years, giving them a head start in their careers after graduation.
“I’m hoping to be a contractor and work in HVAC while still rodeoing on the side,” he said. It’s clear that while rodeo is his passion, he is pragmatic about his future.
Grote said rodeo has taught him valuable lessons in perseverance, especially regarding the complexity of tie-down roping.
“It’s one of the most complicated events. There are so many things that could go wrong,” he explained. “You have to do everything right, and it requires skill, timing, and a great horse to make a perfect run.”
Grote said the challenge is part of what makes the sport so rewarding. He added that his victory at the 2024 Hooey Junior Patriot, where he won $25,000, stands out as one of his proudest achievements.
“Being 17 and winning $25,000, I didn’t even know what to do with that kind of money,” he said.
Grote said his goals don’t stop there. With his ProRodeo permit in hand, he added he wants to qualify for the permit finals and circuit finals, and eventually make a run for the NFR.
“I’m just excited to see where this journey takes me,” he said.
