All Pictures Courtesy of Jackie Jensen Photography
Haiden Thompson of Yoder, Wyoming is no stranger to the winner’s circle. In fact, if you have ever followed high school or college rodeo, you’ve heard of Haiden and the Thompson clan.
Haiden, the third oldest of the eight Thompson siblings, has many accolades to her name. Haiden is a former Little Britches Rodeo and National High School Finals Rodeo World Champion, with countless round wins, state championships, and all-around wins at various other rodeos throughout her career. Her latest accomplishment might be her biggest feat yet. Haiden is fresh off winning the Women’s All-Around Championship at the College National Finals Rodeo, as a freshman rodeoing for Gillette Junior College.
She also won the second round of the breakaway with a 2.1, second in the first round of the goat tying with a 5.9, fifth in the average in the goat tying, and tenth in the average in the breakaway roping. She also won the rookie award for both the goat tying and the breakaway roping.
“Going into the CNFR, I told myself I just wanted to make four clean runs in both of my events,” explained Haiden, “but when I got there, I kind of got in my head. Both Casey Rae Sellars and Lindsay Sumpter sat me down and reminded me that all it took was four clean smooth runs… that helped me a lot,” she continued.
It is no secret that being able to compete at such a high level takes dedication and a winner’s mindset. In the months leading up to the finals, Thompson worked to perfect her trade and made every run count.
“I keep everything consistent. I try to stick to the basics for the most part, but I am very very picky so, every week I go through my videos and make sure it’s all looking okay and find areas where I can improve,” said Haiden.
“The week of the CNFR, I worked to make everything snappy and take off some time here and there, but mainly my focus was to stay consistent.”
Haiden did just that, and it payed off when she amassed 180 points, topping the reserve all around cowgirl by over 135 points.
Reflecting on her first CNFR, Haiden touched on what an honor it was to get to compete at the Casper Events Center as a freshman.
“There’s a lot of people there, they absolutely did bring the best of the best,” she said. “Every time I rode in the box, or they’d call my name in the goat tying, all the Wyoming people would go crazy. It was so cool. It was more than being at just another a rodeo.”
Haiden doesn’t plan on letting off the gas anytime soon and plans on hitting some of the larger youth rodeos like the Jr. Patriot one last time before she officially ages out. Headed into the future, Haiden plans on continuing to fulfill her college degree and graduate with a degree in business from Gillette Junior College. After that, Haiden plans on pro rodeoing and hitting the road.
“I’d really like to get my card and go for rookie of the year,” stated Haiden.
Want to practice like a Thompson? Haiden offered some advice to younger competitors.
“Rodeo is not for the faint of heart. Trust all the work you’ve put into it and don’t worry about anything else. Mindset can make or break a person.”
The future is bright for Haiden Thompson, and Haiden mentioned that she wouldn’t be able to do any of it without her support system and the people in her life who have helped her along the way.
Haiden Thompson of Yoder, Wyoming is no stranger to the winner’s circle. In fact, if you have ever followed high school or college rodeo, you’ve heard of Haiden and the Thompson clan.
Haiden, the third oldest of the eight Thompson siblings, has many accolades to her name. Haiden is a former Little Britches Rodeo and National High School Finals Rodeo World Champion, with countless round wins, state championships, and all-around wins at various other rodeos throughout her career. Her latest accomplishment might be her biggest feat yet. Haiden is fresh off winning the Women’s All-Around Championship at the College National Finals Rodeo, as a freshman rodeoing for Gillette Junior College.
She also won the second round of the breakaway with a 2.1, second in the first round of the goat tying with a 5.9, fifth in the average in the goat tying, and tenth in the average in the breakaway roping. She also won the rookie award for both the goat tying and the breakaway roping.
“Going into the CNFR, I told myself I just wanted to make four clean runs in both of my events,” explained Haiden, “but when I got there, I kind of got in my head. Both Casey Rae Sellars and Lindsay Sumpter sat me down and reminded me that all it took was four clean smooth runs… that helped me a lot,” she continued.
It is no secret that being able to compete at such a high level takes dedication and a winner’s mindset. In the months leading up to the finals, Thompson worked to perfect her trade and made every run count.
“I keep everything consistent. I try to stick to the basics for the most part, but I am very very picky so, every week I go through my videos and make sure it’s all looking okay and find areas where I can improve,” said Haiden.
“The week of the CNFR, I worked to make everything snappy and take off some time here and there, but mainly my focus was to stay consistent.”
Haiden did just that, and it payed off when she amassed 180 points, topping the reserve all around cowgirl by over 135 points.
Reflecting on her first CNFR, Haiden touched on what an honor it was to get to compete at the Casper Events Center as a freshman.
“There’s a lot of people there, they absolutely did bring the best of the best,” she said. “Every time I rode in the box, or they’d call my name in the goat tying, all the Wyoming people would go crazy. It was so cool. It was more than being at just another a rodeo.”
Haiden doesn’t plan on letting off the gas anytime soon and plans on hitting some of the larger youth rodeos like the Jr. Patriot one last time before she officially ages out. Headed into the future, Haiden plans on continuing to fulfill her college degree and graduate with a degree in business from Gillette Junior College. After that, Haiden plans on pro rodeoing and hitting the road.
“I’d really like to get my card and go for rookie of the year,” stated Haiden.
Want to practice like a Thompson? Haiden offered some advice to younger competitors.
“Rodeo is not for the faint of heart. Trust all the work you’ve put into it and don’t worry about anything else. Mindset can make or break a person.”
The future is bright for Haiden Thompson, and Haiden mentioned that she wouldn’t be able to do any of it without her support system and the people in her life who have helped her along the way.
Haiden Thompson of Yoder, Wyoming is no stranger to the winner’s circle. In fact, if you have ever followed high school or college rodeo, you’ve heard of Haiden and the Thompson clan.
Haiden, the third oldest of the eight Thompson siblings, has many accolades to her name. Haiden is a former Little Britches Rodeo and National High School Finals Rodeo World Champion, with countless round wins, state championships, and all-around wins at various other rodeos throughout her career. Her latest accomplishment might be her biggest feat yet. Haiden is fresh off winning the Women’s All-Around Championship at the College National Finals Rodeo, as a freshman rodeoing for Gillette Junior College.
She also won the second round of the breakaway with a 2.1, second in the first round of the goat tying with a 5.9, fifth in the average in the goat tying, and tenth in the average in the breakaway roping. She also won the rookie award for both the goat tying and the breakaway roping.
“Going into the CNFR, I told myself I just wanted to make four clean runs in both of my events,” explained Haiden, “but when I got there, I kind of got in my head. Both Casey Rae Sellars and Lindsay Sumpter sat me down and reminded me that all it took was four clean smooth runs… that helped me a lot,” she continued.
It is no secret that being able to compete at such a high level takes dedication and a winner’s mindset. In the months leading up to the finals, Thompson worked to perfect her trade and made every run count.
“I keep everything consistent. I try to stick to the basics for the most part, but I am very very picky so, every week I go through my videos and make sure it’s all looking okay and find areas where I can improve,” said Haiden.
“The week of the CNFR, I worked to make everything snappy and take off some time here and there, but mainly my focus was to stay consistent.”
Haiden did just that, and it payed off when she amassed 180 points, topping the reserve all around cowgirl by over 135 points.
Reflecting on her first CNFR, Haiden touched on what an honor it was to get to compete at the Casper Events Center as a freshman.
“There’s a lot of people there, they absolutely did bring the best of the best,” she said. “Every time I rode in the box, or they’d call my name in the goat tying, all the Wyoming people would go crazy. It was so cool. It was more than being at just another a rodeo.”
Haiden doesn’t plan on letting off the gas anytime soon and plans on hitting some of the larger youth rodeos like the Jr. Patriot one last time before she officially ages out. Headed into the future, Haiden plans on continuing to fulfill her college degree and graduate with a degree in business from Gillette Junior College. After that, Haiden plans on pro rodeoing and hitting the road.
“I’d really like to get my card and go for rookie of the year,” stated Haiden.
Want to practice like a Thompson? Haiden offered some advice to younger competitors.
“Rodeo is not for the faint of heart. Trust all the work you’ve put into it and don’t worry about anything else. Mindset can make or break a person.”
The future is bright for Haiden Thompson, and Haiden mentioned that she wouldn’t be able to do any of it without her support system and the people in her life who have helped her along the way.
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