More: Derrick Begay and Colter Todd

really started entering me from Cheyenne on. I had bought my (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) card since 2008, but just to be a pickup man for my friends at Salt River Rodeo, never to compete. Even three years ago, I’d have said I’d never do it (rodeo) again. Every now and then, that thought enters my mind and I wonder if I’m going back on my word. I hate making bad decisions, but between prayer and my kids being intrigued with it, I don’t think I am.” The thing about Begay and Todd—who as of today are ranked 12th and 18th in the world on their respective sides—is that even though they’re hitting the road, their perspectives remain the same. While their desire to compete is there, and obviously their success is indicative of their talent, family is first for this team.

The 2023 Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo team roping titlists, Begay and Todd, are men of few words. But when they speak, everyone listens, and when they rope, everyone watches. The format at Guymon in the timed events is for the Top 12 in the aggregate on two head come back to the final performance on Sunday afternoon. While Begay and Todd were slated to rope Sunday, they found a trade to the first perf in the progressive round on Friday night, so they could get home. Begay was in Southern California by Sunday evening to take Brindle Mae to Disneyland. Todd spent the weekend at his boys’ Junior High State Finals Rodeo. Though Begay and Todd’s perspective allows them to find a balance of peace between being gone rodeoing and getting back home, their competitive nature is lurking around, as well.

“None of this was planned around a goal or anything like that, but guys like us love the competition so we like entering. It’s never been about the money for rodeo cowboys, so that’s not the driving force or the case, either. When you’re winning, it makes it fun. When you’re roping with someone you get along with so well, it makes it even more fun and next thing you know, you’re entering something else,” grinned Begay. “I don’t have the goal of making the NFR written on my bathroom window or anything like that, but making the NFR is a natural feeling to anyone that ropes competitively. It’s always naturally in the back of your mind, but I don’t think we have to do it to prove anything to ourselves. It’s fun.”

Todd shares those sentiments, and isn’t shying away from the idea of making the NFR a reality behind Begay. But it won’t come at the expense of life outside the arena. “It’s not like we have $60,000 won, and it’s June and making the NFR seems like a reality. But you have your moments when your mind is wandering. Especially where I’m at, your mind can wander pretty easy. If I wanted to throw up a dream, then I’d say that it’d be sweet for us to make the NFR,” Todd said.

“To put it in a nutshell, I’ve always tried to be where God has wanted me to be. From 2008 until last year, it has been in Willcox, Arizona on a ranch raising three kids, trying to be a good husband to my wife and building that relationship.”