Native son wins big at arena

GRANTS - Grants native Dillon Henson returned to his roots to compete in both the open and junior rodeos held during Wild West Days, and emerged with two belt buckles and enough cash to cover his entry fees.

He participated in bronc riding, bull riding, team roping and calf roping and won first place in bull and bronc riding.

The 16 year old actually spent the first years of his life living on the property of the Grants Rodeo Grounds.

“When I was about four, my dad asked me if I wanted to try to ride a sheep and I said, why not? Since then I've been involved in rodeo in school, county fairs and special events like Wild West Days,” he explained.

The Henson family moved to Bloomfield, near Farmington, when Dillon was five years old and the boy's interest moved from sheep to calf and steer riding. As he grew, he began to participate in high school rodeo. “During my first full year in high school rodeo, I made the National Finals,” he reported.

The modest and polite Henson also stated that he was third in the state in bronc and bull riding in his age group.

The young man loves the rodeo life, stating, “There are no enemies in rodeo. If someone beats you, you go over to congratulate him.”

Henson plans to return to the Grants rodeo next year.