Tracy Press

At 14, Tracy's C.J. Beauregard has his trophies, his sky-high grade-point average and a spot to compete in the superbowl of high school rodeos.

C.J. Beauregard wrestles a steer to the ground during the 2008 California Junior High Finals. Courtesy photo

The 14-year-old recently finished second in the California state finals in boys breakaway roping and walked away with four buckles, and placed first in four different events at district finals two weeks prior to that.

“I want to go all the way to the top,” Beauregard said. “I’m very excited to be going to nationals to represent the state of California. I really can’t wait.”

C.J. will be competing in the National High School Rodeo Wrangler Finals – the superbowl of rodeo for high school students — in Gallup, N.M., in late June. Having only been competing for two years now, C.J. has displayed exceptional skills in the arena.

“I see him doing really, really good at nationals,” mentor and friend Gus Rodriguez Jr. said. “He’s pretty talented and has a great shot at winning some of the events.”

Beauregard’s father, Sonny, immersed C.J. in the cowboy culture early on and has groomed his son to help get him where he is at today.

“I’m sure his grandfather is up in heaven with a smile on his face and is happy that he is a successful contestant,” father Sonny Beauregard said.

C.J. Beauregard continues to excel on the rodeo circuit at only 14 years old. Photo by Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

Every Wednesday, C.J. practices with the American Cowboy Team Roping Association, where he competes with men and women of all ages. Someday, he hopes to go to the ATRA finals, but before that he plans on either going to University of California, Davis, to study large animal veterinary science or to attend the U.S. Naval Academy with his sights set on becoming a fighter pilot.

“I’ll do anything for my country and will defend it at all costs,” C.J. said. “I just don’t know what I want to do at this point.”

Whatever path C.J. ventures down, he’s certain to give it his all. He has a 4.5 grade-point average and will be working at a local dairy farm this summer as well as volunteering at Animal Rescue of Tracy.

When asked about how he feels about cowboy and ranch culture, C.J. smiled and said, “The cowboy culture is part of an American tradition that’s been around for a long time that I’m happy to be a part of. I’ve been in the saddle ever since I can remember.”

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written by tnt , May 29, 2008

Way to go CJ. Congradulations to his Mom and Dad for doing such a great job guiding your son to have values and goals to make him into the man he is on his way to be.