The San Angelo Rodeo has been a tradition the town has put on since 1932 and has continued to influence the population ever since. Young rodeo stars in Wall High School fell in love with the event at a young age and now express their love for the rodeo and the tradition it represents.

Taylor Baize, a senior at Wall and a barrel racer that just signed to the Texas Tech Rodeo Team, has been going to the rodeo since she was a little kid, and her love for the sport only grew from there. 

“I think it’s because I grew up my dad rode bulls professionally,” Taylor said, “so as a child, literally like a baby, I was hauled across the United States to rodeos. So, it feels like home. I just love the atmosphere, the people, and the people who do rodeo are so honest, and I just feel comfortable there.”

Taylor isn’t the only student whose passion lies in the arena. Kennedy King, a junior at Wall and an Ambassador in this year’s rodeo, expresses her love for the animals and tradition by riding her horse with her team into the spotlight. 

“I love being able to show my passions and entertain people by riding the animals that I love and just getting to talk with my drill team and my friends and working as a team together,” Kennedy said. “I just love hearing the crowd more than anything. The crowd is amazing.”

To the common viewer, rodeoing seems like all fun and games, but it also has many challenges that these girls have to face. Physically and emotionally.

“Definitely learning to deal with your losses,” Baize said about one of the hardest parts of being involved with the rodeo. “Cause you’re not gonna win them all, and so it’s learning how to take your losses and make them into success. And to use it to your advantage. And also, it’s a lot of, just, hardships… I’ve had some great horses in my life that I’ve bonded with that I had to watch, one of them had cancer, and I just watched as he deteriorated before my eyes. It’s been hard, but it’s always led me to bigger, better things. It’s definitely been a lot of grieving and losses, but then it also has its high points, too. So it all comes together.”

Though Taylor’s family has a history of rodeoing in her family, Kennedy’s journey starts with her.

“Growing up, my family wasn’t really a part of the rodeo,” Kennedy said. “I started taking lessons when I was six years old, and that’s really when we got involved with the horses. Rodeo I got involved with around four years ago. I’ve had family members who’ve barrel raced and stuff and do all that, but my family, the four of us, we’ve never really been involved until four years ago.”

Over time, Taylor and Kennedy have learned valuable life lessons that will carry them throughout their lives.

“Never take anything for granted,” Taylor said. “You never know when your run’s going to be your last one. Even as young as we are, it’s crazy to say that, but I’ve had some friends in my close rodeo group pass away due to accidents or who won’t be able to compete any more. So it’s always just, always, like, thank God for every run he gives you and just keep going, to work hard, and to never get down on yourself.”