The family that rodeos together...

By Marty Metzger
North Forty News

Rodeo is more than just a sport to the Beckett family of Livermore. It also serves as an avocation, a ministry, an entrepreneurial opportunity and a family bonding activity.

Brother and sister Austin and Charity pretty much cut their teeth on a saddle horn. Their parents and grandparents were all born and raised in Colorado, and the Beckett siblings grew up on a Livermore ranch with Quarter Horses as playmates.

Austin, 24, first entered rodeo competitions at age 6 when he tried to stick like Velcro to sprinting, wooly mounts. After outgrowing the sheep events, he upgraded to steers and then settled on his competitive preference, bareback bronc riding.

In 2004, Austin joined and began circuit competitions. He combines events from the Colorado Pro Rodeo Association (CPRA), the Wyoming Rodeo Association and the New Mexico Rodeo Association. Events are scheduled from the end of May to mid-September.

Beckett said that the CPRA sends 12 entrants to Finals in Grand Junction each September. These elect performers merit the honor of competing at Finals by cumulative earnings throughout the season. In each event, the highest horse and rider combined score receives payment based on the number of entries (average 30 in bareback bronc riding). First place averages $300 to $500, said Beckett.

He's been to Finals every year since 2005. In 2008 he was fourth highest in the state and successfully rode two out of three horses. He placed in all three rounds in 2007. He led the Wyoming circuit in 2008, failed to place at Finals, yet still concluded No. 2 for the year.

Austin's travel gear includes chaps, riggin, safety vest, spurs, bareback glove and cowboy hat. On average, he said, he buys new riggin every 50 to 60 horses. This is no small expenditure. The riggin, crafted of leather body with rawhide handle is custom-made for each rider (from a trace of their hand) by Beastmaster Rodeo Equipment in Pueblo and costs $400 to $500 each.

Austin's rodeo aspirations are to continue on his circuits and add Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association events by 2010.

Twenty-nine-year-old Charity Beckett has been running barrels since age 12. Early on, she participated in 4-H, junior rodeos and then college rodeo at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling. Besides barrels, she also competes in mixed (male/female) team roping with regular partners Matt Whitcomb and Joe Bollers and ladies breakaway roping.

Charity's rodeo contests, like brother Austin's, take her throughout Colorado and to Wyoming, Nebraska and New Mexico. She holds amateur cards in all but Nebraska.

Her three mounts, all registered Quarter Horses, can each do all three events. Geldings Rocket, age 16, Rocky, age 7, and mare Roper, age 8, will eventually have more company on the road. In September 2008, Charity bought 14-year-old Rooster, and is currently training 4-year-old mare Roxy. Finishing a barrel horse for Charity's level of competition can take two to five years. Charity's goal is to prepare Rocky for PRCA level by 2010.

Equipment for Charity's events includes a four-strand polyblend rope for breakaway roping, a three-strand nylon one for team roping, and a Courts roping saddle. She uses several saddle styles for each horse in barrels. Additionally, she must wear a Western hat, long-sleeved, button-down shirt, jeans and boots. Since the Becketts travel to rodeos as a family unit, the task of loading and hauling Charity's horses and everyone's tack and gear becomes a well-practiced discipline.

Charity recommends rodeo as a good, family event. Her parents never pushed her, she said, but rather backed and encouraged her.

"I feel very blessed and thank God I have a family to do this with," she said, and added, "Rodeo's a tough sport that can get you down if you let it. We travel with people that have positive attitudes and the same religious beliefs."

John, the father in the Beckett family, has been conducting church services at the rodeos and also helps Austin behind the chutes by pulling riggin.

Racheal, the mom, is a budding entrepreneur. She custom makes Western jewelry and has been setting up a stand at rodeos since 2008 to sell her popular wares.

The cohesive Becketts combine their faith, talents, skills, commitment and sense of fun in a way that praises God, serves their fellow man, and fulfills their rodeo aspirations. The old adage "The family that prays together stays together" has also been quoted as "plays" together. The Beckett family has found and lives an ideal way to do both.