by Malcolm Butler
Carter Perry has ridden horses for as long as he can remember.
And the Cedar Creek senior will continue to do so, at least for the next four years.
On Monday, Carter signed a scholarship to join the rodeo team at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.
“I have ridden horses since I was born,” said Carter, who has attended Cedar Creek since pre-K. “I started getting competitive around 10 or 11. I enjoy the lifestyle.”
Decked out in blue jeans, boots, a belt buckle, and a Cowboy hat, Carter looked the part as he signed on the dotted line at the Cedar Creek Library Monday afternoon.
“We are really excited to have Carter,” said SAU head rodeo coach Rusty Hayes, who has been at the helm of the program for more than 20 years. “We have a long history of a rodeo program. We are really into the team ropers. Carter fits really well into what we do at Southern Arkansas.
“We are excited for his future and what it can do for him and what he can do for us. We are looking forward to it.”
Carter is currently ranked in the Top 15 in the world (ages 14-19) in team roping and tie-down roping. Some of his other accomplishments include the 2025 Louisiana High School reserve champion heeler, the 2025 Clay Logan Open champion header, the Junior Patriot qualifier heeler and header, the 2024 state finals qualifier header and tie-down roper.
Carter, who said he plans to major in agricultural business, said he is appreciative of the opportunity after first contacting Coach Hayes last summer.
“I want to thank Coach Rusty for allowing me this opportunity to continue my rodeo career,” said Carter. “I want to thank Cedar Creek for allowing me to pursue my dreams and to attend events throughout the school year and to my parents for allowing me to be the best that I can be.”
Other rodeo accomplishments include the 2023 National Little Britches Rodeo Association average champion+reserve world champion header and the 2022 National Little Britches Rodeo Association reserve world champion all around cowboy and breakaway roper.
Carter’s mom, Stephanie, addressed those who gathered to support her son.
“We are very proud of him,” said Stephanie. “We are very grateful for Coach Rusty and Southern Arkansas University for allowing him to be a part of his team. I did a lot of praying on where he would go. I wanted him to be close to home, but I also wanted him to be somewhere where he would fit. I think this is a good fit for him.”
Carter said he expects to specialize in one area of rodeo during his time at SAU.
“I team rope which is specific event in rodeo,” said Carter. “Southern Arkansas focuses more on team ropers. That’s where I fit best.
“I have won all through my junior rodeo years.”
