Rising Star in Rodeo: A Journey from Childhood Sports to Championship Goals
Behind the Chutes
Welcome to our new series “Behind the Chutes” where each month we feature a contestant from different genres of the rodeo sports to bring you an inside peek to the lifestyle of these brave athletes.
For this month’s feature we have Hayzen Hoffman, a 20 year old Team and Tie Down Roper from Washington. Hayzen is one of the 2025 competitors sponsored by Sackett Ranch. It has been a pleasure to get to know him more and see some of his progress in this current rodeo season. We can’t wait to tag along with him for the full season in 2025! With his horses Dollar, Major, Quick, and Cole, he has had a memorable and fulfilling season with big plans for his future! Read along to get an inside look at the life of a real life cowboy.
Pictured here is Hayden tacking up for his run in his Sackett Ranch Legacy Tee. Photo credit to Elaine's Images LLC
How did you get started in rodeo, and what inspired you to pursue it?
My journey into rodeo started with my dad's side of the family in Hermiston, where my grandpa was involved from the beginning. My mom, from Chehalis—a town not traditionally known for rodeo—took up roping in high school. My grandpa was quite impressed with her breakaway roping skills before she had kids.
Growing up, we didn’t have many rodeo-related events for kids, so I played baseball, soccer, basketball, and football—basically, the usual sports that were easily accessible. When I was old enough to rope off a horse, my dad really encouraged me to get into it. At first, it was tough because I was already tired from practice before we even started roping. I didn’t begin with junior rodeo; instead, my dad entered me into amateur rodeos when I was 13. It was a great introduction to roping. By high school, it became clear that rodeo was my path. I was fully committed and no longer wanted to work hard just to maybe get a spot in a game. The rodeo community's supportive nature is something I deeply value; there's always someone willing to help if something goes wrong.
What specific events do you compete in?
I compete in calf roping and team roping.
What does a typical day of training look like for you?
A typical training day involves saddling up 4-5 horses, running calves for a warm-up, and then doing 2-5 runs on calves, often switching horses in between. After that, I work with steers and head horses, making 6-14 runs on steers. We prefer not to overwork our horses, so we focus on scoring a lot of cattle to keep the horses responsive in the box.
Can you describe your routine or rituals before a competition?
Before a competition, I like to warm up my horses about an hour before the event starts. I make sure to familiarize my horse with the arena by riding in and out a few times. As the event approaches, I get my horse moving again and ensure the cinches are snug. I also prepare my rope and rig everything how I like it before the event starts. I prefer to keep my pockets empty, except for a knife—just a personal preference.
What has been your most memorable rodeo experience so far?
One of my most memorable experiences was at Heppner in 2023. I had a great run, finishing in 8.3 seconds, and won the rodeo. It was a huge confidence booster and a positive end to a year of learning.
Can you share a particularly challenging moment you've faced in your rodeo career?
My junior year of high school rodeo was particularly challenging. I ended up in fifth place, just two points shy of the top four who advanced to nationals and received the coveted leather jackets. Although I had some decent runs, I really wanted that spot. It was a tough lesson but a valuable one.
What do you enjoy most about rodeo, both as a sport and a lifestyle?
What I enjoy most about rodeo is the blend of competitive spirit and the close-knit community. The sport itself is thrilling, but the camaraderie and support from fellow rodeo participants are what make it truly special.
What are your short-term and long-term goals in rodeo?
In the short term, I aim to qualify for both the Columbia River Circuit and NPRA finals and to win the year-end titles in my events. For the long term, my goal is to end the year as the #1 competitor and become a world champion in my events. After achieving that, I hope to learn how to consistently perform at that level and pursue as many world titles as possible.
Conclusion
Hayzen is an example of dedication, determination and young man with a dream. We can all be inspired by his story and his vision for the future in his rodeo career. Key an eye out for more from the “Behind the Chutes” series.
All images from Elaine's Images LLC
