Shawn and Carrie Wyatt have taken their work from home in Hydro, Oklahoma, all the way to the first ever AQHA World Championship Show ranch sorting competition.
They often traveled to watch the World Show but this is their first trip as competitors. When asked if they were nervous going into the competition, Carrie quickly said no but Shawn responded with a yes.
“We do this all the time, I don’t know why he gets nervous.” Carrie continued, “We do this all the time and win! We’ll go out there and do our best.”
Carrie qualified in amateur ranch sorting on her homegrown mare, Sassy Royal Star. She is a 7-year-old sorrel by multiple world show qualifier, Leos Rio Superstar.
“She has a lot of heart and attitude,” Carrie said about her mare.
Shawn qualified to compete in open and amateur ranch sorting aboard his 5-year-old mare, Rios Nifty Gray. He bought her two years ago from Darren York. Darren is also from Hydro, Oklahoma, and owns the sire of Carrie’s mare.
Shawn and Carrie have been married for eight years and manage around 1,500 head of cattle on their ranch, 1W Cattle Company. Carrie also sells real estate and Shawn builds barns and works construction during summer months.
When Carrie and Shawn ride together, their two children can be found nearby. Taylor is 7 years old and a big sister to her brother, 4-year-old Weston. They will most likely follow in their parents’ boots as future sorting competitors.
“That’s what’s fun about local competitions,” Carrie said. “They (Weston and Taylor) get to ride with us.”
Carrie has been sorting for about two years, and Shawn got into the competition three years ago.
“There are lots of good people here,” Shawn said. “They (ranch sortings) are a fun place to go and kind of get away from everything and have a good time.”
“This is something the whole family can do,” Carrie said. “We will be happy to see any of our Oklahoma friends win – we’ll be just as excited because everybody knows everybody.”
Shawn agreed. “It’s like a family reunion on the weekends,” he said. “It’s a good group.”
