Kayson Lasyone might not say much, but the Winfield, Louisiana, heeler has done plenty in the arena to be sitting second the World Championship Junior Rodeo 19-&-Under heeling standings with 7942.25 points.
The 17-year-old is headed into his senior year of high school, and while he also heads and ropes calves, Lasyone has always been a heeler at heart.
That has been the case for most of his life. Lasyone started roping when he was about 3 years old, following a family path that already included his brother, sister and dad. His dad roped some and now owns an auction company, while his older brother headed—giving Lasyone a reason early on to pick up the heel rope.
Since then, Lasyone has stacked up the kind of wins that do more talking than he does. He won the truck at the Patriot two years ago, won the Junior World Championships in Vegas this year and placed well at the Vegas Tuffest and Junior NFR. He also just claimed his third straight Louisiana High School Rodeo Association heeling title, winning in eighth grade, ninth grade and 10th grade, and has qualified for the National High School Rodeo finals again this year.
“I won a truck,” Lasyone said. “I won the Patriot truck. That’s probably about it.”
The “about it” includes quite a bit more, but Lasyone is not one to dress it up.
His WCJR points came from a mix of nominated Vegas events, high school rodeos and a strong Louisiana High School Rodeo State finals run. Lasyone said he did not even realize he was leading the leaderboard until he got a text about it.
At home, Lasyone’s preparation is just as straightforward as his answers. He ropes every day he can, and some nights go late.
“Last night I roped until 2 in the morning, so it just depends on the day,” Lasyone said.
Lasyone has two main heel horses: Rooster and Pebbles. Rooster is a 12-year-old he recently bought after trying him at a team roping, and he has quickly become a favorite. Pebbles, who he has had for four or five years, has been the horse behind much of his success.
“I’ve won everything on her,” Lasyone said.
When it comes to pressure, Lasyone keeps that simple too.
“If I’m catching, then I don’t really get nervous,” Lasyone said.
As far as long-term goals, college rodeo is on the table, though he is still figuring out exactly what that looks like. For now, his plan is about as heeler-like as it gets.
“Get as good as I can, I guess,” Lasyone said.
And the goal every time he rides in the box?
“Rope two feet.”