Page 113 - August 2015

Wes Thibodeaux
a 16-year-old junior at oakhill high school who lives in elmer, Louisiana
by Tracy Gantz
Team roping, halter, racetrack sales—Wes Thibodeaux’s equine experiences cover just about anything people do with horses. He succeeds because he loves and understands the animals. He simply switches disciplines as the need arises.
Being born into a family immersed in equine endeavors undoubtedly helped. Wes’s father, Tim, is a horse trainer and team roper, and his mother, Penny, was a breakaway roper and team roper in high school and college.
“My parents have been around horses their whole lives,” said Wes. “It’s just something that has been passed down.”
Penny’s mother, Peggy Williams, works for the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association. While everyone at the LQHBA pitches in
as needed, Williams primarily handles the accreditations, membership, and coordinating information regarding out-of-state mares. She is also very involved with the LQHBA sales.
Through his grandmother, Wes began working for the LQHBA during the organization’s annual yearling and mixed sales.
“I help them in any way they need, any help in the office,” Wes said. “They live-stream the sales on the Internet, and I help take care of that. The yearling sale is definitely more work than the mixed sale. This year we had close to 600 horses for a two-day sale. It was a busy two days.”
Anyone who needs help handling a horse can also look to Wes. He grew up showing at halter, and
therefore knows how to stand a horse to its advantage. As many children of horsepeople do, Wes
began riding a pony at a young age in 4-H events. He graduated to full-size Quarter Horses and regional AQHA shows, getting numerous grand championships in halter and showmanship.
When it came time to compete atop a horse, Wes’s interests led him to follow his parents into rodeo rather than something like Western or English pleasure. He liked the action of rodeo and has developed into quite a good team roper as a header. His parents have a 40-acre property, while his grandparents have 100 acres, making it easier to buy and raise the cattle needed for their team roping.
“We have several associations around here,” said Wes. “USTRC (United States Team Roping Championships) is a nationwide team roping association that we participate in when they have shows close to us. Team Roping USA also has events around here.”
Wes’s primary mount these days is the Quarter Horse Fool Of Bueno, a 9 year old bred by his parents. He also still competes on Peppy, his 17-year-old Paint Horse.
“Fool has a laid-back personality,” said Wes, whose similar demeanor makes them an excellent match.
The family enjoys the races, and Wes regularly attends at tracks such as Evangeline Downs. In the fall, the LQHBA sponsors the million-dollar LQHBA Futurity.
“My grandmother knows everyone there, and it’s a lot of meet and greet,” said Wes.
As busy as his horse activities keep him, Wes still finds time for school and several other activities. He enjoys deer hunting, and he is the vice president of his school’s FFA Organization chapter, where he helps build picnic tables and other things to sell for fundraisers.
Wes has developed his ability to create and build to the extent that it will likely influence his choice of career. He is currently contemplating studying to become an architectural engineer, probably at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.
And while 16 year olds have a license to change their minds about their career goals as they grow up, Wes is sure of one thing: “Horses will always be a part of my life.”
Wes has developed into a good team roper as a header
SPEEDHORSE, August 2015 111
YOUTH INDUSTRY PROFILE