By: Julia Dondero
At just 15 years old, Kaitlyn Torres is making history and headlining events at every level. From competing at Rodeo Corpus Christi to large youth stages like the International Finals Youth Rodeo and the CINCH World Championship Junior Rodeo, Torres is making tracks as one of the top youth Heelers.
As an incoming high school sophomore, the Alice, Texas native dedicates her time to perfecting her craft in the arena. As a multiple-event cowgirl, Torres spends her days perfecting her heeling and breakaway roping skills. Torres explained the support from her family and 8-time World Champion Heeler Rich Skelton have aided her in becoming the roper and person she is today. It is this dedication and moral support that has led the young gun to the top of the team roping world.
“I wouldn’t say I’m one of the best, but it’s so cool to be in conversations with greats like Whitney DeSalvo,” said Torres.
They say iron sharpens iron, and it couldn’t be more true for Torres and the competitive pack of ropers she surrounds herself with. Torres also expressed her admiration and commodity with greats like DeSalvo. “I look up to Whitney [DeSalvo] so much. It’s great to compare our roping and sharpen each other.”
Torres, who has been competing in WCRA and WRWC events since she was 13, has already seen great growth in the sport. Competing during such an innovative time in women’s rodeo only provides the young roper with more excitement and motivation to continue to elevate her game. Reflecting on the growth of the sport and the advancement of women in rodeo, Torres explained, “Women’s rodeo has really blown up. The level of competition to qualify for events like the WRWC and WCJR is so high. It’s exciting to see what the future has in store.”
Torres will travel down the rodeo road this Summer with a trailer full of top-notch equine partners, including her four-year-old breakaway horse “Boomer” and heel horse “Queen B”, who was in Jonathan Torres’s lineup during the 2022 National Finals Rodeo.
This Summer, Torres plans to compete at the CINCH WCJR with her sights set on bringing home her piece of the historic payout. Looking forward to making her mark at the famous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Torres explained, “Opportunities like these have blown up the world of youth rodeo. It’s great to see these opportunities”.
