PRORODEO Sports News - July 2, 2026

BORN TO ROPE, BUILT TO SERVE DR. CHANCE HENDERSON EMBODIES RODEO AND MILITARY SPIRIT BY KELSI OPAT, SPECIAL TO PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS

Dr. Chance Henderson poses alongside a U.S. Air Force Acade my training plane in Colorado Springs, Colo., back in the day. Jeff Belden photo

T his month, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country, the beautiful United States of Amer ica, and all for which she stands. The cowboy way of life truly embraces the freedom offered in the Home of the Brave, upholding the well-worn values of patriotism, hard work, and grit. It is not an easy way of life, but it is worth it. For United States Air Force veteran and former tie down roper Dr. Chance Henderson, the worlds of military service and rodeo not only share values; his identity is enveloped in both communities and cultures. Henderson encompasses what it means to be, in his words, a “cowboy warrior”; someone who “does whatever it takes to get the job done.” Throughout his life, Hender

son has proven to be exactly that. Originally from Paris, Texas, Henderson began his rop ing career at 9 years old. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Air Force to live out his Top Gun dreams. Henderson served his contracted year and then enrolled in the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He walked on to the Academy’s football team, which took up most of his time at the USAFA. After two years of classes and practices, Henderson left the service academy and rodeod for a summer. “And man, I just started winning everything,” Hender son said. He tasted success that summer but ultimately found himself at Texas A&M University that fall. After graduating from Texas A&M, the Academy reached out,

16 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE July 2, 2026