Dolores senior Kody Gregory dreamed of competing in rodeos at the college and professional level.

Now he has his chance, thanks to a full-ride rodeo scholarship to attend New Mexico State University.

“The coach came to watch me compete and liked what he saw,” Gregory said. “The Aggies are a top-ranked rodeo team, so it’s really exciting to be a part of it.”

Gregory grew up participating at rodeos in Montezuma County and regionally, competing in calf roping and team roping.

“My mom and sisters really encouraged me,” he said. “I used to think, ‘Maybe I could do this professionally one day,’ but thought that’s too far-fetched. Then this happened, so it’s a big surprise.”

Last September, he took up bare-back riding.

“I had the itch, and my mom said give it a try,” he said. “It’s a big adrenaline rush, extremely physical.”

He credits veteran bareback rider Dax Koskie for coaching him in the sport.

“Dax taught me the fundamentals and helped with technique,” Gregory said. “He was really patient, and taught me everything I needed to know to not get hurt.”

Gregory apparently has a knack for holding onto to a bucking horse, and has earned the most points, 69, for high school bareback riding in Arizona.

“For the Aggies, I will compete in calf roping, team roping, and bareback,” he said. “Competing in all three events racks up points for the team.”

Gregory plans to study agriculture education, with career options in science research, education, and as an agricultural extension agent.

“I’d like to be an agriculture teacher,” he said. “I could not have afforded college without this scholarship, so I’m very thankful and very happy.”

As a student athlete classes come first, Gregory said, but the rodeo team is a close second. The teaching job may have to wait until after graduation though.

“As an Aggie, my goal is to improve, get stronger and bring a National Rodeo Championship to NMSU. Then I’d like to give professional rodeo a try,” he said.

The rodeo team at NMSU, located in Las Cruces, usually qualifies for the college finals. They compete in 11 rodeos per year.

jmimiaga@the-journal.com