Talent & ambition make all the difference for Kirsten Hampton
The REPORTER
Kirsten Hampton, a 2022 Sheridan High School graduate, hasn’t always wanted to be a professional rodeo pickup man, but as with most, her goals evolved over time.
She began riding horses before she could walk and trained her first mini horse by age five. She enjoyed working with young horses, but what she truly enjoyed the most was “going fast.” She learned how to barrel race and rope and had many people help teach her along the way.
Hampton was the Missouri Breakaway Champion and named Indiana High School Rodeo’s “Top Hand” in 2022. In the past year, her love for “going fast” evolved into her current goal to become one of the few women who are professional rodeo pickup men.
Pickup men, the riders who help cowboys safely dismount off bucking horses, is a mostly male-dominated rodeo role.
Photo provided
Melissa Hampton, Kirsten’s mother, said, “Kirsten has been mistaken as the rodeo queen until she rides out and saves the riders coming off the bucking horses. She’s tough and she wants it. Her talent and ambition make all the difference. Kirsten is showing little girls that limitations don’t exist if you’re willing to put in the work.”
Kirsten has picked up at Indiana High School rodeos and International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) events in multiple states. In December, she will head to Las Vegas to compete in the Vegas Toughest World Championship for Breakaway roping.
When asked what advice Hampton would give to young cowgirls, she said, “Don’t let anyone tell you what you’re capable of doing. If you want it, then go get it.”
Hampton lives this advice daily. She has been mentored by some of the best pickup men in the business including Kaleb Barrett and Shawn Spaulding, International Finals Rodeo (IFR) pickup man of the year.
She is currently a pickup man for South Plains Rodeo Company and has been hired by other professional stock contractors as well to ensure the safety of the bucking horses and their riders.
You can see Hampton and her horses work while attending any of the South Plains Rodeo Co. rodeos and events.
Hampton will attend Purdue University this fall to study Biomedical Agricultural Science with a focus on Equine Therapy to become an Equine Chiropractor.
She was also mentored by IFR World Champion Shawn Coleman as well. She’s had many great professionals in the IPRA and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association who saw her potential, took an interest, and worked with her to develop her talents.
Hampton is currently sponsored by Cowpokes Work and Western Wear in Anderson, Ind., but is also accepting sponsorships for the World Championship in Las Vegas as well. Those interesting in becoming sponsors can reach out to her on Facebook at facebook.com/kirsten.hampton.75.
You can donate to her Las Vegas GoFundMe page at gofund.me/335f5033.