BY KRIS BLANKMAN
Haven Hogge
Have you ever wondered what talking to a rainbow would be like? It is a whirlwind of happy, positive colors, and giggles all tied up in a spunky 13-year-old named Haven Hogge. Haven is a 7th-grader at Wahlquist Junior High. She was embarrassed to tell me that she has maintained a 4.0 GPA in school. Humility is just one of the qualities Haven has been blessed with. Haven lives in Warren, Utah, with her parents, a twin sister, and a younger brother. Coming from a rodeo family, Haven has lots of support and examples. She says, “It’s what we do as a family. We rope and ride every day.” She started her rodeo journey at eight years old and now, she competes in the UYRA and the CCJR. She is also a member of the Cinch Team for the UJHSRA. Haven is competing this year in breakaway roping and barrels. Her most memorable rodeo is the first one where she she won a buckle. Haven is working to qualify for the National Finals in junior high and again in high school. This talented young lady has lofty goals outside of rodeo as well, she wants to be a lawyer and specialize in agriculture. Haven’s twin sister has non-verbal Autism. Haven says that she always tries to remember kids like her sister who do not have a voice or a body that allows them to achieve their dreams. She says, “I do my best for her! I don’t want to waste the gifts I have been given.” When asked to tell me something about herself, she said, “I am pretty quiet and shy, but if someone is ever mean or makes a mean comment about someone with special needs, look out! I will come after you!” Haven’s dream is, “To be the best cowgirl I can be!”
Rusty Foy
I am excited to introduce to you one talented young cowboy from Hooper, Utah. Rusty Foy is a 13-year-old 7th grade student at Rocky Mountain Junior High. He is involved in wrestling, lacrosse, football, dirt biking, and bull riding. He is a member of the UYRA and the LJRA. He loves to ride bulls and plans to start riding saddle bronc and bareback horses, as well as competing in chute doggin’ and bull riding. This impressive young man got into rodeo not only because he likes riding bulls, but also because his dad was in rodeos. His best rodeo memory to date was at the 2019 Jr. World Finals Qualifier rodeo in Evanston, Wyoming, where he won his first trophy buckle! This funny young man surprised me when he told me his favorite color is baby blue, math is his favorite subject in school, and both his dad and grandpa introduced him to his favorite food, sushi! Rusty told me that he looks up to his dad, Parker Foy, and PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year, Colten Fritzlan. When asked what his goals were, his reply showed me that they are just as big as his courage and determination. Rusty wants to win the world championship in bull riding. He wants to ride bulls for a living while farming or ranching. “Never Give Up” is Rusty’s moto, and he no doubt practices what he preaches in his life and in rodeo.