This next Rising Star has so many accomplishments that I had to double-check her age because it was hard to believe a 10-year-old could do so much in her young career. Barrel racing and all-around titles came flying in as soon as this youngster could compete, and her reserve champion title at the 2017 Junior NFR introduced her to us in the No. 57 spot in The Rank against barrel racers in older age groups and from around the country. 

New Mexico’s Caydence Roberts was handed the reigns when she was still just a baby, and she's never handed them back.

"I won my first Open 1D on my main horse 'No Socks Frost' at age seven," said Roberts. "[He] also carried me to two Junior NFR qualifications (2016/2017) in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a Reserve World Champion title at the finals in 2017."

The now 10-year-old has already qualified to go back for her third Junior NFR in 2018.

Roberts currently competes on a few “trusty steeds” — her main horse “No Socks Frost” which is a 19-year-old gelding, a 7-year-old gelding named “MPH Black Eagle,” a 12-year-old gelding “Wahini Wheatie,” and she pole bends on 15-year-old "HR Rickety Dumptruck."

Caydence Roberts

Hometown: Las Cruces, NM

Age: 10

Events: Barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping, and steer dobbing

The Rank: No. 57

How did you get started in rodeo?

I was born and raised into a ranch and rodeo family so I have been horseback my entire life. I am competitive at anything I do and work hard at anything I do.

I have ridden by myself since right before I turned 2 and competed on my own horse since I was 2 and a half on my own.

What are some of your biggest accomplishments to date?

2016

• Reserve Live Life to the Fullest 8 & Under Champion
• Landmark Mercantile year-end All Around Champion
• LCHA year-end All Around Champion 
• 5th Open 1D Champion, Abilene TX
• Youth 1D Landmark Average Champion 

2017 

• 8 & Under Live Life to the Fullest Champion
• Reserve World Champion Junior NFR
• New Mexico state 4H Champion barrel racing & flag race
• New Mexico state 4H average Champion barrel racing
• New Mexico state 4H reserve average Champion pole bending
• Red Rider Round Up All Around Champion Saddle
• Landmark Mercantile Year End All Around Champion
• Hildago County Junior Rodeo All Around Champion

2018

• Membership Drive NMRA Open rodeo win 
• NMRA Socorro Rodeo Open win
• Currently leading the NMRA 2018 Barrel Racing standings for 2018
• A handful of Open 1D wins aboard her young horse MPH Black Eagle & her gelding Wahini Wheatie to date

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

I love riding colts and playing basketball.

Who is your greatest role model?

Jana Bean

What is your favorite song?          

The Champion – Carrie Underwood, ft. Ludacris

What is your favorite food?          

Steak