Before Nixon, Texas’ Trael Jaynes pulled into the Lazy E Arena for the first time and turned heads as a left-handed calf roper, he spent months preparing.
Jaynes entered the 2025 World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR) the hard way. Using the open entry route, Jaynes competed in both go-rounds, gunning for one of the 8 semifinals spots awarded. After a miss in round one, he capitalized in round two, stopping the clock at 9.12 seconds to place second and earn a spot in the semifinals.
“Since I didn’t nominate, I knew I needed to place in one of the rounds,” Jaynes said. “I missed in the first round, so that took me out of the average. I knew I needed to place first or second in the second round and I ended up second in round two to get back to the semifinals.”
Left-Handed Start
While there have been plenty of successful left-handed ropers across calf roping, team roping and breakaway, the challenge is undeniable. Jaynes, 15, got his start about a year and a half ago. Left-hand dominant, Jaynes initially tried to rope right-handed, but quickly discovered it wasn’t his path.
“I have tried roping right-handed a few times,” Jaynes said. “I just couldn’t do it and I didn’t really think I needed to, even though a lot of people told me I couldn’t make it with my left hand. Everyone who supported me and my goals told me I could, so I listened to them.”
Jaynes didn’t reach his current competitive level without some heavyweight help. His dad, also a left-handed calf roper, and 2017 PRCA World Champion Marcos Costa have played key roles.
“I worked for around six months just on groundwork,” Jaynes said. “I worked every day until I had a good foundation. My dad roped calves left-handed, so he helped me a lot. I spend about a week a month at Marcos Costa’s house and he helps me a lot.”
Aside from his dad and Costa, Jaynes credits PRCA icons Neal and Dakota Felton and Jimmy Hodge with aiding his progress.
“Neal and Dakota Felton have helped me a lot with horses,” Jaynes said. “Jimmy Hodge, another PRCA athlete has helped me a ton, too. I wouldn’t be where I am without those three, my dad and Marcos.”
Left-Handed Horsepower
Jaynes faced adversity before arriving at Guthrie, losing his good practice horse to a blood infection the same week of the WCJR. Despite the setback, he came to The E confident on Rover, his main horse from the Feltons.
“I have my good horse Rover that I rode at the WCJR,” Jaynes said. “He came from Neal and Dakota Felton and is my number one horse. I also have my gray mare, Gracie. She’s the one who started it all.”
The Lazy E Experience
Jaynes’ first trip to the Lazy E Arena left a lasting impression, and it wasn’t just because of his performance in the second round.
“It was a really nice facility, everyone was super nice and everything ran smooth,” Jaynes said. “The calves were good, my parents really liked it, and we’ll definitely be back next year.”
After the confidence boost Round two at the WCJR gave him, Jaynes is hitting the road preparing for a stacked schedule including a Vegas Toughest qualifier in Hobbs, New Mexico, and events such as The Patriot next year, plus competing in the YRA, TYRA and Texas high school rodeos.
“I’m pretty much everywhere,” Jaynes laughed. “We stay busy, and I’m excited for what’s next.”