Rising Rodeo Star Takes On Nation’s Best

Ten-year-old Cooper Rich of North Windy Ridge Intermediate is highly ranked in the nation for Team Roping.

Featured Photo: Fifth-grader Cooper Rich (right) of North Windy Ridge Intermediate stands with Team Roping partner Justin Vasquez (left) of New Mexico during the 2020 Junior World Finals in Fort Worth, TX. Photos provided courtesy of Whitney King.

By: Benjamin Rickert
BCS Communications Dept.

Ten-year-old Cooper Rich, a fifth-grader at North Windy Ridge Intermediate, is highly ranked in the region and nation for the Team Roping junior rodeo event. During December’s Junior World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, Cooper and partner Justin Vasquez of New Mexico ranked 15th in the country after three days of competition, higher than any competitors from North Carolina or Tennessee. Cooper ranked second in the Eastern region when qualifying for the national competition earlier in 2020.

“Competing in Fort Worth was the most exciting thing I’ve ever done,” said Cooper. “It was so much fun getting to rope in Cowtown Coliseum and meet other competitors.“

Rich and Vasquez prepare for their Team Roping event.

Team Roping is a timed rodeo event during which two mounted riders work together to rope and gain control of a steer. Cooper was among the youngest national qualifiers, taking on 34 other teams with competitors as old as 17. The annual Junior World Finals competition normally takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside the National Finals Rodeo but was moved to Texas in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are extremely proud of Cooper for qualifying for the Junior World Finals, and how he handled all the pressure at such as young age,” said Whitney King, Cooper's mother. “We hope this is the first of many competitions like this for him.”

King explained that a love for rodeo runs in the family. As a high school student, King competed in rodeo and joined her school’s Future Farmer’s of America (FFA) club. Cooper’s father and uncle both have a history with Team Roping. Up to now, Cooper has pursued rodeo events with the help of his family. Next year, Cooper will be able to join the FFA club at North Buncombe Middle School, which is firmly rooted in the strong North Buncombe agricultural community.

After his impressive performance, Cooper is looking forward to a bright future and additional opportunities to compete.

“It was a great experience and I hope I get to go again next year,” he added.

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