“She was three years old when she started participating in the goat ribbon pull and stick horse barrel racing,” said Hayzen’s mother, Jessie Steadman. “Since then, she has continued to be an Idaho Junior Rodeo Association (IRA) dedicated member participating in the pole bending, barrel racing, goat tie down and break-a-way roping.”

In 2024, Hayzen earned her first saddle as the URA All-Around Cowgirl in her division — a milestone in any young rider’s career. This season marked her rookie year in the District 8 Junior High Division Rodeo, where she finished as reserve all-around champion, won titles in barrel racing and pole bending and took home the Rookie of the Year buckle.

At the Idaho Junior High State Finals Rodeo on June 14, Hayzen qualified in all four of her events and placed second in barrel racing and fifth in pole bending. She also received the coveted “Rising Star” award, given to just one junior high rodeo contestant across the entire state.

She will compete at nationals later this summer — her first time on the national stage. Her horse, Annie, will be making her 10th national appearance.

By Hayzen’s side is her older sister, Presleigh, who competes in the high school division. The two spend their days tending to horses, practicing events and doing their best to hold back occasional disagreements.

“Working together in rodeo has its interesting moments for sure. Both girls have very different personalities and horses,” Jessie said. “Rodeo has brought them closer because we are together practicing, going to clinics and every rodeo. It’s a true family sport. Even though they have their disagreements like most siblings, they truly are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and couldn’t have gotten this far without each other.”

Presleigh’s proudest moment was earning the 2022 State Pole Bender Champion and representing Idaho at nationals in Perry, Georgia. That experience continues to fuel her competitive drive.

Presleigh is competing in five events all while balancing her time between horseback training, groundwork and staying in physical shape.

“If there’s a problem or a stall in progress, it’s usually me — not the horse,” Presleigh said. “Sometimes I have to miss out on what seems like ‘normal kid stuff’ but I wouldn’t trade this life for anything...You have to have a short memory in this sport, the highs and the lows can come all in the same day.”

Presleigh earned the title of Idaho Reserve Goat Tying Champion on June 14 in Pocatello and is headed to nationals in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

For the Steadman sisters, rodeo isn’t just a sport — it’s an outlet that is teaching valuable life lessons.