Local youth finds acceptance in rodeo

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

Thirteen-year-old Jaxon Campbell is following in his family’s footsteps. His mom, Tiffany Campbell, was a barrel racer, his grandfather, Bob Larsen, a team roper and pole bender, and Jaxon has now found his true passion in rodeo with the rough stock.
Riding for only a little over a year, the young bareback rider has won his way to compete at the Canadian Junior Roughstock Championships Oct. 4-6 in Teepee Creek, Alta.
Campbell is entering the competition in second place from one of the two groups he rides with – the Crooked Horn Canadian Junior Roughstock – and will be competing against 10 riders from each of the four total groups attending the championships. Campbell is hoping to place top three in the senior division to earn him a spot at the Junior Roughstock World Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 4-10.
Having previously played hockey for eight years, Campbell made the difficult decision to focus solely on rodeo this year after learning about his chances of making it to Las Vegas.
“I decided I wanted to do the rodeo; it’s the Larsen thing to do, my mom did it and her father did it, but I was more into the rough stock so I decided to try bareback,” he said. “I had so much fun, the thrill was awesome; I was so nervous but I loved it … and now I get to the rodeo and I am energized and excited to ride.”
In fact, that is the main reason he made the transition from playing hockey with a local team to focusing solely on rodeo. After struggling for years to make more friends and to be accepted as one of the team, Campbell has finally found a place where everyone accepts him for who he is, where he has made many new friends and where other kids even look up to him.
Campbell, who has been described by many in the rodeo community as a true cowboy under the hat, someone who is helpful, polite and will always shake your hand, has autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and social anxiety disorder.
Despite some of the challenges Campbell has faced, he has been described as always working to overcome them, as an awesome and friendly kid and someone who can be counted on to always help with whatever needs being done.
“He has really come out of his shell and really come into his own. It has brought out a confidence in him and it’s amazing what acceptance will do, it’s been amazing to watch him grow,” said mom Tiffany, who attributes some of his success to the mentorship and advice he has received from other rodeo parents and professionals.
Campbell, who has won several rodeos already this year, will be competing in the Crooked Horn Finals on Sept. 29 in Siksika at 11 a.m.
Although he has been focusing on riding bareback this year, next year he hopes to try saddle bronc and steer riding on his way to potentially becoming a bull rider.
Campbell put his experience with rodeo best when he applied to ride at the Future Champions Challenge in Ponoka, Alta., Oct. 24-Nov. 1, something he will find out if he has been chosen to ride in after Oct. 9.
“There are so many things I love about rodeo, the help and support from friends, family and fans, coaches, stock contractors and volunteers. Everyone is there for each other, not just to win and be the best. When you ride good everyone cheers, when you buck off everyone moans and if you get hurt everyone makes sure you’re okay. I feel like I belong, fit in and can be myself around rodeo and no one judges me for being different,” said Campbell. “Rodeo is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”