Whataburger's Whatakid: Carly Rae Colvin

Region VIII Carly Rae Colvin

Congratulations to Region VIII Whatakid, Carly Rae Colvin, an 18-year-old senior from Uvalde, Texas. Carly has had a lifetime of rodeo experiences she wouldn’t trade for anything. She competes in multiple events, including reined cow horse, breakaway, poles, and barrels, and has found her strongest connection with the Texas High School Rodeo Association. Through THSRA, she has twice been named the Region VIII Reined Cow Horse Champion and has qualified for the state finals in poles three of her four high school years.

A seasoned competitor, Carly has participated in a variety of events over the years, from local youth series to both TJHRA and THSRA competitions. But it's THSRA that truly helped her sharpen her skills and step up her game. Qualifying for the short round at the state finals two years in a row in reined cow horse and excelling in poles speaks volumes about her commitment and talent.

Carly rides and cares for five different horses, two of which she actively rodeos on. Her pole and barrel mare, Delight, lives up to her name every day. A belly-rub enthusiast, Delight has been part of Carly’s life for nearly five years and brings both speed and spirit to the arena. Then there’s Spanky, her breakaway gelding and the ultimate sweetheart. Calm, gentle, and always ready to work, Spanky has been with Carly for six years and is a treat-loving teammate in every way.

Carly’s days are full and focused. She starts early, feeding all 12 of her family’s horses before heading off to school. After class, she works as a vet tech at a local veterinarian's office, gaining hands-on experience that aligns perfectly with her future goals. She rounds out her day with time at the gym, evening chores, and riding practice at home.

Academically, Carly has kept an impressive AB honor roll throughout high school and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Her favorite classes are writing and apologetics. She recently completed her senior thesis—a project that allowed her to dive deep into a topic she’s passionate about. She also enjoys apologetics for the way it strengthens her ability to defend her faith. She credits her inspiring teachers for making these subjects even more enjoyable.

Outside of school and the arena, Carly once played tennis during her freshman and junior years but ultimately chose to focus fully on rodeo and showing animals. She’s been involved in showing horses and lambs since third grade, further showcasing her deep roots in the agricultural lifestyle.

Carly’s life motto is: “Always keep your head up and keep smiling.” It’s a mindset she applies to every part of her life, believing in the power of positivity and the joy of lifting others up.

One of her favorite hobbies is taking her horses on long trail rides, a peaceful way to bond and reset. She also treasures time spent with family and friends, especially at rodeos, which she describes as both competition and community.

After graduation, Carly plans to attend North Central Texas College in Gainesville, where she’ll compete on the ranch horse and equestrian teams while earning her associate’s degree in Equine Science. Her journey doesn’t stop there; she intends to transfer to West Texas A&M to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian.

Carly looks up to her mother more than anyone. As a child, she accompanied her mom to work at her veterinary clinic and fell in love with caring for animals. That early exposure set Carly on the path she’s on today: driven, compassionate, and ready to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

Of course, the rodeo life comes with sacrifices. For Carly, one of the biggest was choosing to step away from other sports to give her full attention to rodeo. It wasn’t an easy decision, but one she believes helped her grow and truly commit to the sport she loves.

“Rodeo is not just a sport for me,” Carly says. “It is a lifestyle that requires year-round dedication and devotion. It’s getting to see the friends who have become family and making new ones along the way. It’s about building each other up even on the hard days.”

Carly is extremely honored to be representing Region VIII as the Whatakid. Her passion for rodeo, strong academic record, and deep love for animals drive her future goals of becoming a veterinarian following in the footsteps of her mother and lifelong role model. Carly’s journey in the arena and the classroom reflects her dedication, heart, and the bright future ahead.