‘The greatest lifestyle’ for the Hutchinson family at the Team Roping Championship

BILLINGS — How big is the Wrangler Team Roping Championship in Billings every year? Let’s say a purse of over $1 million in cash and prizes attracts men, women and full-fledged families from around the world.

“Welcome to the Hutchison crib,” said Jerome Hutchison, smiling and laughing as he entered the travel trailer.

It looks like the family of five lives in their ‘crib’ as often or even more than their home in Watford City, ND

Planted this week under this beautiful, large shade tree on the MetraPark grounds, about as far from the First Interstate Arena as a family can get.

“I love this,” Braden, 15, said.

Young brothers Hayden and Braden say they can’t get enough of life on the road.

“This is an explosion. “Hang out with your friends all weekend, do what you love,” Hayden, 17, said. “Half of it is a hotel and the other half is like a caravan.”

The Hutchisons hauled seven horses, two trucks and two trailers to Billings, hoping to leave the team with pockets full of winnings at the roping championship.

“I guess it’s a great lifestyle, being on the road with our family and our horses, team roping and rodeos,” Jerome said in front of another horse trailer.

Daugther Cassidy is the youngest in the family. He’s 12 years old and is passionate about middle school rodeos, but he only makes money from these team roping events. Due to the abundance of travel, all three siblings are homeschooled; This also has its pros and cons.

“Like, I just want to ride and be done with it. But it’s pretty good, it doesn’t take too long to go to school for a day,” Cassidy said.

At one point, every member of the family competed together, including mom Kelsie. And they win; a lot.

Jerome and Hayden’s run on Tuesday secured the division win and brought in more than $20,000.

“We’re spending a lot of money here, so we definitely need to win so we can at least stay even,” Jerome said. “But we had some good years here where we made $40,000…$50,000.”

The Hutchisons say they travel to this event every year except one.

“It’s expensive, but it’s fun,” Hayden said.

Braden wasn’t even old enough to drive when he won a new Dodge pickup truck at these championships two years ago, when he was 13 years old.

“My nerves were a little high, but that was just another redirect,” he recalled of his feelings before the winning lap.

“It wasn’t real when they announced it. We all started to cry. It was great,” Hayden recalled.

“(That truck) was probably the biggest victory we had as a family,” Jerome said. “We try not to drive it. We try to let it stay as new as possible so it doesn’t wear out.

Of course, with a family of five constantly traveling through tight places, sometimes someone has to play the ‘annoying’ role.

“The one that irritates us the most is definitely Braden,” Hayden said without hesitation.

Cassidy smiled and agreed.

No matter the family, the middle child often seems to be the hardest hit. But the brothers will have to put up with Braden if they want to ride around in that new pickup.