Kyan Wilhite finished his 2025 season at the top of the PRCA permit calf roping standings, banking $58,964 and showing he could hold his own against the best at 19 years old.
Instead of rushing to buy his card, Wilhite focused on seasoning his horses, gaining experience in different setups and learning how to manage the mental side of the sport—all while pocketing nearly $60,000.
THE DONKEY THAT STARTED IT ALL
No one in Wilhite’s family competed in rodeo, but he found the sport early thanks to his grandpa’s donkey and an old Rattler rope.
“My grandpa had some cattle and a little donkey that I would ride all the time,” Wilhite said. “I found an old Rattler ropein his shop and a Folgers coffee can, filled it with rocks, and just started swinging and throwing at it. Then we moved to Albuquerque, and my family built me a roping dummy. That’s where it all started.”
After a year in Albuquerque, Wilhite returned home to Clovis, New Mexico, where his calf roping career really began.
“When we moved back to Clovis, I started to take things serious by watching YouTube videos and learning how to actually swing a rope,” Wilhite said. “I was about to turn nine when my grandpa, Kenny, took me to Shad and Sylvester Mayfield’s house. That was the first time I ever roped off a horse.”
HOMETOWN HERO
Wilhite’s resume was stacked with wins before he ever bought his permit. He won the National High School Finals in 2023 and two Texas High School Rodeo titles.
“All that early success is definitely a lot of pressure, but it helps you learn how to deal with it in the future and keep your mind right,” Wilhite said. “By the time you turn pro, you’re already pretty seasoned.”
The city of Clovis even recognized his accomplishments with Kyan Wilhite day.
“That’s August 24,” Wilhite laughed. “They did that after I won Nationals. The Clovis Committee rented out a steakhouse, and a bunch of people showed up. That’s Kyan Wilhite day right there.”
PERMIT PATH
Even after qualifying for big rodeos like Fort Worth, Wilhite decided to stay on his permit.
“I just wasn’t ready,” Wilhite said. “I wanted to get another year under my belt and see some more rodeos. I had just gotten a new horse and wanted to get with him. Last year I felt scattered and not completely ready to go.”
That decision gave him time to season his two horses: Smooth As A Powercat, “Jag,” and Highbrow Fatty, “Hub.”
“Jag is a big ole nasty stopper, better for the outdoor rodeos,” Wilhite said. “Hub is more of a building horse. He doesn’t have as much run, but you can set it up on him every single time and get the same go.”
LESSONS FROM THE ROAD
Wilhite said one of his biggest takeaways from the season was learning to adjust to what he drew.
“I’ve learned when you finally draw a good one, take advantage of it, because it doesn’t happen a whole lot,” Wilhite said. “If you draw a ten second calf, tie him in ten. Then hopefully next round you draw one you can tie in seven and you still end up in the average. I used to try and tie every one in seven, no matter what I drew. It’s better to just make the best run you can.”
He also gained a better handle on the mental side of rodeo.
“I try not to let myself get controlled by rodeo and all the highs and lows,” Wilhite said. “I just look at the bright side—like hey, I didn’t get in a wreck on the way to the rodeo. This is just another calf. I do this for fun and get paid for it.”
As for what’s next, Wilhite didn’t hesitate.
“Make the NFR,” Wilhite said. “That’s it. That’s the only goal.”