Many young cowboys and cowgirls feel the rush of excitement the first time they catch a calf, turn a barrel, and, with the advent of junior bucking competitions, the first time they get on a bucking horse or bull. Sometimes you take a tumble, but the result is usually the same.

"I’ve been hooked since the first time," said Westin Clemens, who got on his first mini bull at age 3 and has now made his debut as a top-15 saddle bronc rider in FloRodeo's The Rank.

The 8-year-old Iowa cowboy seems to have been riding everything that bucks, slowly adding events to his repertoire and picking up titles as he goes.

Fittingly, Clemens says his idols are Tim O'Connell, Sage Kimzey, and Wade Sundell, but this bareback-, bull-, and bronc-riding talent may not be old enough to know about the very cowboy he could be modeling himself after—if he keeps up his multi-event success.

He has a long rodeo trail ahead, but we could be looking at the next Ty Murray. 

Photo by © Daniel Clark-USA TODAY Sports.jpg

Westin Clemens

Hometown: Winterset, Iowa

Age: 8

Events: Mini bareback, mini saddle bronc, mini bull/calf riding

The Rank: No. 14 In Saddle Bronc, No. 50 In Bareback

How did you get started in rodeo? 

I’ve been riding horses since I was big enough to hold his head up. I started riding mini bulls at age 3, bareback ponies at age 6, and saddle bronc at age 7. 

What are some of your proudest accomplishments to date?       

• 2017 Peewee Bareback World Champion at the International Finals Rodeo 
• 2017 Peewee Saddle Bronc Champion at the Days Of 47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City, Utah
• 2017 Peewee Bareback Champion at Heartland Youth Bareback Championships
• 2017 Peewee Bareback Champion and Calf Riding Reserve Champion for the Missouri Junior Rodeo Circuit
• Finished fifth in saddle bronc and ninth in bareback at the 2017 Junior NFR

What do you like to do when you're not competing?       

Ride horses, ride the bucking machine, and practice bulls and ponies at home. Spending time outdoors.

Who is your greatest rodeo mentor/role model?  

Rodeo mentor - dad

Role models - Tim O'Connell, Sage Kimzey, Wade Sundell

What is your favorite song? 

"Stitches" by Shawn Mendes

What is your favorite food? 

Tacos

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