Farm & Ranch Family The folks at McCoy’s Building Supply understand that it takes a lot of hard work and the whole family pitching in to get things done on a farm or ranch. That’s why we’d like to take some time out to salute Texas High School Rodeo Association families who are farmers and ranchers. In our monthly Farm & Ranch Family Spotlight, we’ll feature one family, sharing their story of how they work together as a family to make their farm or ranch successful.The spotlight will run for 10 months; each month will feature a different Region. Each Regional McCoy’s Farm and Ranch Family will receive a $100 McCoy’s Gift Card. The McCoy’s Farm and Ranch Family of the Year will receive a $500 McCoy’s Gift Card and will be announced at the 2022 THSRA State Finals.
The Goudeau Family of Region VII C by Ashtyn Carr
ongratulations to the Goudeau family for being named a McCoy’s Farm and Ranch Family! Reagan Goudeau is region seven competitor and resides in Hungerford, TX. Reagan was brought up by her father, Michael Goudeau, and her mother, Shay Stepan. Reagan also has an older sister, Logan Goudeau Blake, 21. Michael and Shay both attended Sam Houston State University. Michael graduated in 1995 and moved back home to help with the family business. During Shay’s time at SHSU, she competed on the university’s rodeo team. As you could probably guess, Michael and Shay have diverse agriculture backgrounds. Michael’s family business includes a hay operation that plays a part in the Houston market, providing about 150,000 to 200,000 square bales a year. Similarly, they farm about 2,000 acres of cotton and corn. They also apply fertilizer and chemicals to producers in surrounding counties. These endeavors make for a busy spring and summer! Finally, the family has a commercial and a purebred cow herd. The purebred herd allows them to sell Brahman genetics all over the world! Michael is able to visit different countries, such as Mexico and Costa Rica, doing business by promoting their cattle and genetics. Michael also frequents their local McCoy’s in El Campo, TX for supplies like fencing and wood. On the other hand, Shay’s family has ranching roots as her father is a producer. So, she grew up helping him on the ranch! When it comes to rodeo, Shay is an experienced barrel racer and breakaway roper. These days, she works with riders
and competitors to hone their skills through clinics, lessons, and more. Michael credits Shay as the driving force behind Reagan’s passion for the sport of rodeo, to which Reagan agrees. “Whenever I’m having problems, I always go to her and she can always fix it and help me,” Reagan said. “She has really taught me everything I know about rodeo. She taught me how to be successful and to have really good horsemanship. I’ve learned how to ride one and teach them, how to do it the right way.” Reagan has been in the saddle since she was about three years old. Now a 17 year-old senior in high school, she has found a considerable amount of success in the rodeo arena. Reagan began competing in barrels, poles, and breakaway roping during her sixth grade year. Now, Reagan sticks to barrels. Reagan has also been involved and found success in volleyball! Her team even made it to the state championship last year and regionals this year. As Reagan’s high school career comes to an end, she plans on attending Wharton County Junior College. For her first two years, Reagan will compete on WCJC’s rodeo team. She then anticipates transferring to either Sam Houston State University or Texas A & M University. Reagan wishes to continue being in the agriculture industry and might even come back to help the family businesses! Although, Michael teased that she is not too much help currently. Reagan disagrees, saying that she promotes the hay side of business and keeps to the horses. Though rodeo runs in the family, Reagan’s older sister did not continue the tradition herself. Logan tried her hand in the sport when she was in elementary school. After winning a saddle shortly after her career started, Michael said between laughs that Logan retired early. She had had her fill! Logan went on to play club volleyball and remained active in other pursuits. Most recently, Logan graduated from Texas A & M and began her career in the ag industry. All in all, the family is very vocal about their passion for rodeo. Michael said that the crew likes what rodeo stands for, while Reagan said they enjoy the competition. But the family especially enjoys the opportunity for bonding time! “You get so busy working and making a living that you lose track of time,” Michael said. “So when you actually get to go rodeo together, it’s a lot of windshield time together…Reagan and I will haul together. We’ll spend three hours, six hours, 10 hours in the truck together. It’s good memories and good talk that we wouldn’t get if we didn’t rodeo.”
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