7 minute read
Barrel Racing Spotlight: Cinda Wayment
Utah native taking advantage of new professional rodeo format
BY MITCH SHAW
Standard-Examiner
ARLINGTON, Texas — In many ways, this year’s version of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo was a departure from competitions of years past.
But for Cassie Bahe-Latham, one contrast underlined in the 2020 event represents a more than welcome shift in tradition.
For the first time in 35 years, the season-ending championship event for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association was held in Las Vegas. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced organizers to move the event from Sin City to Arlington, Texas’s Globe Life Field — the new $1.1 billion stadium built for Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers. Social distancing restrictions in place in Nevada would have prohibited fans from attending the event, necessitating the move to Texas, according to a PRCA press release.
Aside from the pandemic-related changes, the 2020 NFR also featured women’s breakaway roping for the first time ever.
Bahe-Latham, who currently resides in Idaho but was born in Salt Lake City and raised in Grantsville, came into the event ranked No. 1. The 25-year-old says she’s been roping for 20 years now, nudged into the sport by her father, Francis Bahe.
She won the roping event this year at the prestigious Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo. In 2019, she finished second in the Wilderness Circuit Breakaway Roping standings, directly behind her younger sister Anna. That year, she also finished 25th overall in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Breakaway World Standings, this time one spot in front of her sister. In 2018, she finished her rookie season in the WPRA ranked 28th, and in 2017 she was a College National Finals Rodeo short round winner.
According to the Cowboy Lifestyle Network, breakaway roping is a type of calf roping. But unlike other roping disciplines, the calf is not tied or thrown. This event features a single rider on a horse, plus a calf.
Bahe-Latham said she enjoys the sport because it offers a unique challenge.
“It’s a sport with a lot of variables,” she said. “There’s me, my horse and the calf. So, there’s three minds out there and they’re all thinking different things.”
Practicing the sport also involves some distinct barriers. Bahe-Latham said getting reps typically requires an arena and calfs — two things that aren’t always readily available. She said she relies on friends, acquaintances and really whoever or whatever can facilitate the practice necessities.
So while getting regular practice in can be tricky, there are two constants: Bahe-Latham and her horse. She rides a 6-year-old gelding named Smokey. She says the relationship she’s developed with her animal is another reason her love for the sport runs deep.
“Smokey is naturally kind of lazy,” Bahe-Latham says with a laugh. “But we’ve been able to do pretty well together. It’s just cool to see how he’s grown.”
Widely considered the Super Bowl of rodeo, the NFR has been held annually since 1959, showcasing the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls, barrel racers and livestock. Here is a list of other Utahns who qualified for the 2020 event: Kaycee Feild of Genola, bareback riding; Stetson Wright of Milford, bull riding and saddle bronc riding; Ryder Wright of Milford, saddle bronc riding; Allen Boore of Axtell, saddle bronc riding; Mason Clements of Draper, bareback riding; Rusty Wright of Milford, saddle bronc riding; Tyler Bingham of Honeyville, bull riding.
In this undated photo, Cassie Bahe-Latham competes in a women’s breakaway roping event.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
I am strong, I am brave
Cinda Wayment barrel racing spotlight
WRITTEN BY KRIS BLANKMAN
Western Wasatch Contributor
Reminded by a bracelet on her arm, Cinda Wayment’s positive affirmation of, “I Am Strong, and I Am Brave,” keeps her on the right track both in barrel racing and in life. Like all of us Cinda has had her share of challenges and success’. She shared that the popular phrase on another bracelet she wears, “Live, Love and Laugh,” are important aspects of her life, emphasizing on the laughter.
Cinda grew up in Pleasant View, Utah and now resides in Harrisville, Utah. After working for the Internal Revenue Service for 30 years, Cinda is now retired. As we talked I realized that Cinda, like so many “horse” people, has found enjoyment, therapy, healing, achievement, and love with having horses as an integral part of her life. She has been blessed to have them in her life since she was 8 years old. As she grew and later in life married, her husband who was not a “horse guy,” married not only Cinda but all her equine family as well. Over the years he grew to share her love for them. They bought a two-year-old paint horse for him. She said he was not pretty and looked like a moose, but as Cinda worked with the colt she realized he had speed and that he might be the one she was looking for. Such was the case and Rocky became her all-around club horse. If you have ever had a
once in a lifetime horse you will know exactly what Rocky was to Cinda. They competed in the Utah Western Riding Association for 10 years. Cinda has been a member and competing in said organization for 30. She has competed in all the events, except for roping.
In 2012 Cinda lost her dear husband. As she navigated through the grief and tried to find herself again, her family and friends rallied around her and have been a continuous source of support and strength. Rocky was also by her side giving her purpose and hope. It was about two years later when Cinda decided to pursue barrel racing more seriously. It was something she always enjoyed and wanted to do. She took that opportunity when she joined the Turn Pro Jackpot Association.
When Rocky was at the top of his form, according to Cinda he was 20 years old, they had the opportunity to compete in Las Vegas during the NFR at the All-In Barrel Race in 2017. Rocky did well at the event but experienced colic after and passed away in surgery. This was another tragic loss to Cinda.
After losing Rocky, even though she had other horses at the time, she was searching for another special horse to be competitive on. She was also working on starting over again, and just focusing on living life the best way she could. About a year ago she found Ricky Bobbie! Having been drawn to another paint horse she found what she was looking for. Cinda and her paint were well on their way when Cinda had to overcome another stumbling block in her life. Remember Cinda’s bracelets? The ones with the positive affirmations of, “I Am Strong, and I Am Brave,” and “Live, Love, Laugh?” These were gifts from her support group after battling and recovering from alcoholism. She found solace and therapy with her horse and with the support of friends. After taking a month off from riding during her recovery, Cinda and Ricky Bobbie made a wonderful comeback this past season. This dynamic duo won a year end award saddle in the Turn Pro Jackpot Association.
Although she has had many success’ and wins in the USWRCA throughout her riding career, participating in the All-In Barrel Race and winning the saddle are highlights in Cinda’s horse life. Both of which she would love to do again if given the opportunity.
Cinda loves to trail ride, camp, and spend time with good friends and family. She also has a love for writing poetry. I asked her if she would be willing to share some of it with us. She said she wrote a poem after loosing a big gray horse that she loved. That same year a few of her friends lost horses as well so she wrote this with all in mind. Having been down that road and loosing a once in a lifetime horse, I was very touched by her poem. She graciously shared it with all of us. It is published in the Cowboy Poetry section in this magazine. Here is to sending good wishes to Cinda and Ricky Bobbie who have a bright future ahead of them.
Cinda and her horse Rickie Bobbie with their most recent trophy saddle.
