Ally Gallagher

“Ride high, shoot low.”

That’s what team roper Rustin Baldwin would always say.

But, at the 2021 Jr. NFR, Rustin wasn’t riding high in his saddle alongside his header.

Just over a month prior, 17-year-old Rustin was going to prom with friends and preparing for a summer of rodeo when he was involved in a car crash. Unfortunately, Rustin passed away.

The first thing any cowboy or cowgirl will say about rodeo is that it means family. Contestants endure early mornings, late nights, the highs and lows of competition, and even injuries, all side by side. They celebrate together, they lift each other up. The bonds formed in the arena truly last.

This is what makes it so hard to lose a cowboy, especially one who lived like Rustin.

“He was just a ball of joy,” Jacob Derrer, one of Rustin’s team roping partners, said.

As tragedy left heartbreak in its wake, members of Rustin’s rodeo family gathered at Jr. NFR in Fort Worth, Texas, to remember him in a place where he felt most at home – the arena.

Between performances, in a quiet practice arena, those who knew him best came together. The stagnant July air hung heavy in everyone’s lungs, symbolic of the weight of the loss. Friends held each other close, tears in their eyes and hats in hand.

Jessi Everett, a close friend of Rustin’s, led her peers in prayer. Photo by Lisa Duty, Texas Vision Photography.

“We thank you for Rustin, and for the love we got to share with him,” she prayed. “We ask that you be with the family, as we know how consumed they are with grief during this time. Please help us live our lives as freely as he did and be as obedient as your will asks.”

Though grieving, Rustin’s mom, Stephanie, said she still wants to talk about Rustin, and hear others share their memories, too. So many of those memories stem from time spent in rodeo.

Rodeo was embedded in Rustin’s heart and soul, and it showed when he roped.

“(Rodeo) was his life,” Stephanie said. “Rustin was one of those who was really talented, but he wanted everybody else to be as good as him.

“He just loved the sport so much.”

A goofy teenager remembered for being a jokester, Rustin made certain to put a smile on everyone’s face, whether it be his younger cousin, high school teacher or anyone else he met along the way.

“There was a teacher at school,” Stephanie said. “And he was always picking on her, and she would chase him through the hallways.

“And that was just him. He wanted to make everybody happy and feel good about themselves.”

When it came to competing, Rustin’s spunk and playfulness remained intact. He still carried the same smirk on his face, the one everyone came to know and love. Good run or bad, he was one to lift others up in the arena.

“He’s always make you laugh if you were sad,” Jacob said. “He would always cheer you up. He would always have a smile on his face.

“That was one thing about him, you would never see him with a frown on his face. It’s one reminder, if you come out of the arena and you miss or whatever – always remember, ‘Hey, life is short.’”

Had he been able to watch Bryce Derrer, Rustin’s voice would have been heard cheering throughout the arena. Bryce is Rustin’s team roping partner’s older brother, and a close family friend. He qualified for the short go at Jr. NFR, placing in the top six.

Bryce said being able to compete with Rustin in mind made the successful runs even more impactful.

“It’s the world (to compete for him),” said Bryce. “It sucks what happened, but he would be right out there cheering us on. And if it was him out there, I’d be doing the same.” Throughout Jr. NFR and other rodeos, the Derrer brothers, Everett, and others don “Roping for Rustin” hat patches and black ribbons on their shirts. One of those wearing a patch at Jr. NFR was Hadley White, a 16-year-old team roper.

After a run that advanced White and his header, Colton Walters, to the Top 50, White was overcome with emotion as he recalled rodeo memories with Rustin.

One memory of Rustin remains poignant in Stephanie’s mind. During a rodeo, Rustin was taking some time to warm up his horse. As he looked over and waved to his family across the arena with a smile, his uncle snapped a photo. That photo has become a staple in representing Rustin’s time as a free-spirited cowboy.

After the accident, the Baldwin family wanted to remember Rustin and help other cowboys and cowgirls like him. So, they created the Rustin Baldwin Memorial Scholarship, which will provide a high school graduate interested in agriculture or rodeo with $5,000.

Those who want to remember Rustin and support the Rustin Baldwin Memorial Scholarship can purchase a t-shirt or a sticker at https://www.slashg.net/shop/34452452/rope-for-rustin.

Luggage tags, carried by Rustin’s friends and family, inspire with the words that always flowed from Rustin’s mouth: “Ride high, shoot low.”

Rustin is survived by his parents, Coby and Stephanie, and his siblings, Makylee and Garrett. Memories of his fun-loving spirit remain with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and entire rodeo community.

Rustin may not be riding high in his saddle, but he’s still riding high and inspiring others to live as he did.

Rustin Baldwin. Photo from Ellis Funeral Homes.

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Ride high, Rustin: Remembrance of a cowboy