Job ✅ ProRodeo ✅ Mom ✅
Cheree Caudle Breaks Into Resistol Rookie Ranks at 30 Years Old

“Used to, a lot of my identity and who I was depended on my roping ability. Now, roping is what I do but not who I am, and that’s taken the pressure off.” – Cheree Caudle

Cheree Caudle currently sits No. 7 in the breakaway Resistol Rookie of the Year race with $3,640 earned.
Cheree Caudle currently sits No. 7 in the breakaway Resistol Rookie of the Year race with $3,640 earned. Photo by Alexander Mendez courtesy Caudle

In what feels like a field of young guns in the Resistol Rookie of the Year breakaway race, 30-year-old Cheree Caudle stands firmly with the idea that you can break into the ProRodeo arena at any age.

Working full-time on the graduate admissions team at alma mater UWA and mom of two kids, Caudle has more than just breakaway roping on her mind.

Cheree Caudle smiles alongside husband Alex, daughter Raelynn (6) and son Case (3).
Cheree Caudle smiles alongside husband Alex, daughter Raelynn (6) and son Case (3). Photo courtesy of Caudle.

The makings of Cheree Caudle

Caudle grew up traveling the Southeast ProRodeo circuit with steer wrestling grandad Wendall Cooper and dad Wade. The idea of rodeo was fun, but barrel racing wasn’t her speed and breakaway was slow on the come-up. Still, Caudle began competing in breakaway in eighth grade, eventually earning a scholarship to rodeo at UWA. In 2015, she won the Ozark region.

From there she married husband Alex and the two moved to Livingston, Alabama. Alex tie-down ropes and they amateur rodeoed together, hitting multiple events each weekend on the PCA, IPRA and NCPRA circles. As Alex moved into the professional ranks, Caudle eyed her opportunities with son Case on her hip.

“In 2022 I knew I wanted to [ProRodeo] this year,” Caudle said. “Case would be 3, and it became my goal. I’ve been doing to amateur rodeos and decided to go for it. This has been something I wanted for a decade, so I didn’t want to wait on it any longer. Amateur rodeos have let me get in that experience. They help you learn to let things roll off your back.”

With breakaway wisdom that only comes with age and thousands of runs, Caudle is enthusiastic about the year ahead of her.

“My advice to a younger rookie would be—don’t get caught up in it. Roping is what you do, not who you are. You’re going to fail at times, but that failure doesn’t define who you are.” – Cheree Caudle

2024 Rookie of the Year race

Currently sitting No. 7 with $3,640 in earnings, Caudle is trying to weave more ProRodeos in between her job and mom duties.

“What’s my game plan?” Caudle said. “To be honest I don’t have a game plan. I am just tickled to do this. I’d like to do a quick little summer run. Maybe a week. It’s a little sad but that’s where I’m at in my life.”

Caudle gathered up her rookie earnings at the 96th Annual Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, where she tied for No. 6, earning $1,160. She also Finished No. 3 with a 2.6-second run at the Okeechobee Cowtown Rodeo in Florida for another $1,550.

She did it on 11-year-old gelding “Peewee,” who she bought from Tabitha Owens and finished herself. His name is spot on, with Caudle saying he’s just a tick over “pony size.” She and Peewee plan to be ready when ProRodeo opportunities arise as they continue their Resistol Rookie of the Year bid.

CATEGORIES
TAGS
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
RELATED ARTICLES
Kieley Walz_2024_WCWC Challenger_Bullstock
Walz Wins
Kieley Walz Has Arrived! Walz Wins WRWC Challenger World Championship, Eyes AT&T
Taylor Munsell is the Average Champion of the 2024 WRWC Breakaway pro division aboard Hotrod Song. Her week isn't over yet, either, because she's heading to the Showdown Round on Thursday.
Super salty
Taylor Munsell Tops the Pro Average at WRWC 2024: Full Results and Final 12
Between her media career, Amy Wilson has found some time to professionally breakaway rope and barrel race.
Welcome, Amy!
Amy Wilson Joins Equine Network’s Western Sports Group as Media Director 
JJ Hampton ropes in the Reno Rodeo slack in 2021.
Come one come all
Breakaway Summer Run Preview, Reno Patriot Reveal on The Breakdown Podcast
Jackie Crawford is weighing the pros and cons of life out on the ProRodeo road
"I want a garden."
Jackie Crawford's Summer Run Strategy, Potential Retirement?
Marybeth Beam cheers following her blazing 1.74-second run.
Time to rock
Final Team Assembled: Free Riders Announced for Kid Rock's Rock N Rodeo on Friday
GET UPDATES

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Country*

Additional Offers

Additional Offers
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.