Colt Guillot made the most of his opportunity at the 2026 Hooey Junior Patriot, topping the 15 & Under Tie‑Down Roping Semifinals with a 20.28 on two head to secure the average win and $2,500 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The South Louisiana cowboy backed up consistent runs of 10.31 and 9.97 seconds to hold off a competitive field and punch his ticket to the finals round. Guillot added another $1,200 from the round payout to finish the day with $3,700 total earnings.

Guillot qualified for the Patriot at a roping in Sulphur, Louisiana, where he secured both of his entries in a single trip. The January birthday worked in his favor, allowing him to compete in the 15 & Under division despite recently turning 16.

Aboard a horse he and his father trained from a young age, Guillot credited the gelding’s consistency in the box for helping him stay smooth under pressure. Purchased with just a handful of rides, the horse quickly progressed through jackpots and smaller rodeos before stepping into bigger competition as a 5‑year‑old.

“He’s just a good one,” Guillot said. “He stays straight and does the same thing every time.”

Growing up in Louisiana’s deep tie‑down roping culture has also played a major role in Guillot’s development. With guidance from his parents and plenty of local competition, he has built the confidence needed to succeed on big stages like the Patriot.

Now returning to the finals round—where he has previously finished among the top—Guillot is focused on staying consistent.

“I’m just going to try to do my job,” Guillot said.