Rodeo is a way of life for Baeza

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent 
 
Born and raised in Mexico, Alvaro Baeza has grown up around cattle, and this year, he helped form the rough stock rodeo at the 2020 Weston County Fair on July 27. 
In 1971, Baeza was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, to a family very involved with livestock and rodeos. 
“We’ve been involved in the cattle industry all our lives,” Baeza said.
Baeza started riding broncs when he was 14 years old and competed for over five years, winning several belt buckles and cash prizes. He also rodeoed at the professional level and was even nominated as Pick Up Man of the Year in 1999 by the AVR, which is a Mexican cowboy and rodeo association. 
A rough stock rodeo is composed of three events: saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and bull riding. Out of the three, Baeza said, saddle bronc riding is his favorite event because this ranching-style competition is “more of a classic event,” but nonetheless, he enjoys it all. 
“I like everything. It’s part of my life,” Baeza said. “Rodeo is part of our way of life.”
In addition to stock rodeos, Baeza also competed in team roping and was national champion in Mexico for the event in 1996. In 2004, he claimed another victory in a team roping contest in the United States, winning two new pickup trucks. 
However, he decided he wanted to start a new chapter in his life and moved to Newcastle in 2000, because it was easier to make a living in the United States than in Mexico. Baeza said he worked as a horse trainer for two and a half years and continues to train and sell horses. 
Because the competition is tougher in the United States, Baeza ended his rodeo career to focus on his family because it would have been a challenge to maintain both. He is married to Sofia Martinez de Baeza, and he has three stepchildren and one daughter, Anasofia Baeza. All four kids rodeo or have rodeoed at some time, and Baeza said he enjoys watching his daughter take the reins and compete.
“She’s my beauty queen,” Baeza said. 
Because of his vast knowledge and experience in the rough stock industry, Baeza decided to get involved with the rough stock rodeo at the annual Weston County Fair this year, so he could help improve it by getting more sponsors involved and making it easier for people to watch and participate. This year’s rough stock rodeo was put on by sponsors, including Baeza’s own Northeast Feed Services (a branch off NutraLix), which provides feed supplements for cattle dealers. 
Rodeo is just a part of life for Baeza, just him and his animal. It’s something he does with all his heart, and along the way, he said, he’s made many good friends through his experience.
“I love to do it, and I’ve done it for years and years,” Baeza said.