What does World Champion PRCA roper Caleb Smidt do when he’s not chasing rodeo wins with his partner Pocketful Of Light or “Pockets” in hopes of qualifying for the next Finals? He works cattle on a ranch near his home in Bellville, Texas. The rodeo cowboy is a true cowboy, in or out of the arena.
Caleb won the PRCA All Around/Rookie of the Year in 2013. He won his first NFR championship in 2015. But 2018 was an incredibly difficult one for Caleb, his wife Brenna Byler Smidt and the Byler family. Caleb’s father, Randy Smidt, died of cancer in January that year. Caleb went on to qualify for the NFR and after a summer of rodeos, went home to get ready for Vegas, while Brenna was preparing to give birth to their second child. On November 4, Brenna’s brother Will married his fiancé, Bailee. In a tragedy that rocked the horse world, the couple died in a helicopter crash the same night, devastating their families.
“You read about stuff like that happening, but it’s not supposed to happen,” Caleb said.
Days later, on November 12, Brenna gave birth to Myla Pearl, the couple’s second child. And only a couple of weeks later, Brenna and Caleb’s family made the trek to Las Vegas to watch Caleb compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
“It was just awesome to have my whole family out there to support me,” Caleb said. “I know I wouldn’t have done near as good if they weren’t there. It was tough for the whole family, but they made it a point to make it out there for me. It meant a lot to me.”
In the first round of the Finals, Caleb tied his calf in 7.6 seconds, winning the round and that elusive gold buckle. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with it.
“I gave the buckle to my father-in-law up on stage that night,” Caleb said. “It was pretty special. Words… there’s nothing anybody can say to make it better in a situation like this, but I thought giving him a buckle in thanks for all he’s done for me, the tough times he’s come in, I felt it was the right thing to do.”
When he’s not rodeoing, Caleb spends his time day working cattle, using some of his younger horses to give Pockets a rest.
“It gives me something to do when I’m home, and I like it,” Caleb said. “I like riding good young horses. I don’t mind the work, and it’s hard to get a typical job with a rodeo schedule. I like being around horses and cattle—that’s all I know, so I really enjoy it.”
Now, Caleb is back on the rodeo trail. He went to winter rodeos by himself, but says in the summer months he’ll either travel with fellow roper John Wall, or load up the family: Brenna, 3-year-old Cru Tatum and little Myla, in their bus and trailer. Caleb says he most enjoys the rodeos where he can bring his family along. He’s currently leading the All Around standings and hopeful for the 2019 NFR.
I like being at home with my family, and I don’t like leaving without them,” Caleb said. “Whether you’re winning or not, it’s just nice to know that they’re there with you.”
