At only 10 years old, Jackson Ashton of Wharton, Texas, bested his 12-and-Under Tie-Down peers at the Hooey Jr. Patriot, winning $1,046 with a time of 49.69 seconds on three head.
“I was scared in the short go, because I really wanted to rope him and win,” Ashton said. “I didn’t have a game plan today—I just wanted to rope. I kept my horse cool, and I was cool.”
That horse was 5-year-old “Moto” that Ashton received as a Christmas present from Santa a few years ago. According to Ashton, Moto can still be a little scared in the competition pen, but he focuses on keeping a steady hand to maintain the geldings’ confidence.
As a roper, Ashton makes sure he aims at the shoulder of the calf while keeping his tip down and timing his dismount correctly. He’s still nosing calves down, but hopes to upgrade to flanking soon.
Ashton and Moto were 17.75 in Round 1, a 16.99 in Round 2 and 14.95 in the short go. With his payday of $1,046, Ashton says he plans to pay entry fees.
According to Ashton, his roping mentors include dad Robert Johnson, Charles Williams and 15-and-Under Jackpot Champion Jeffrey Hayes Jr.
“I always pray to God and look up to him,” Jackson Ashton said. “And I always listen to people telling me good information.”
Outside of roping, Ashton puts up hay, works cattle and hunts deer, rabbits and the occasional hog.
