About J.D. Yates

J.D.'s rodeo career spans five decades. In 1975, at 15 years and 4 months old, he became the youngest cowboy ever to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), heeling for his father, Dick — a record that stood for decades. He went on to compete at the NFR 21 times in Heading and Heeling and the NFSR 11 times.

• Inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2024 (Notable/Lifetime Achievement category).

• NFR team roping average champion, 2002 (with partner Bobby Harris).

• National Finals Steer Roping (NFSR) average champion, 2008.

• Two-time National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) team roping champion, 1979 and 1980.

• 14 Mountain States Circuit titles across team roping, steer roping, and all-around.

• In 1983, JD and Dick won the team roping at the Presidential Command Performance Rodeo and were presented their buckles by President Ronald Reagan at the White House.

J.D. is a highly decorated AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association) horse trainer and shower, inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2024 and named 2004 AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year. Per AQHA's own bio of JD, his career includes 10 high-point senior horse of the year awards, 8 high-point junior horse of the year awards, and 10 leading open exhibitor of the year awards.

J.D.'s AQHA Super Horse Titles

J.D. had a hand in the making of five AQHA Superhorses — the AQHA's highest honor at the AQHA World Championship Show.

• Smoke Um Okie — 1986 AQHA Superhorse. Shown by Bob Avila and J.D. Yates in senior tie-down roping, heading, heeling, reining, and working cow horse.

• Popular Resortfigure — 2002 AQHA Superhorse, owned by Trammell Ranches Inc. Shown by J.D. Yates in junior heading and heeling, junior working cow horse, and junior tie-down roping.

• RS Lilly Starlight — 2006 AQHA Superhorse, bred and owned by Kurt Harris. Shown by J.D. Yates and Don Murphy in senior heading and heeling, tie-down roping, and working cow horse.

• Chex This Dually — 2011 AQHA Superhorse, owned by Donald Tisdall of Castle Rock, CO. Shown by J.D. Yates in senior tie-down roping, heading, heeling, and performance halter geldings.

• BFR Igniting Sparks — 2017 AQHA Superhorse, owned by Beechfork Ranch. Shown by Matt Koch, Jeff Chapman, Jay Lyn Wadhams, and Dustin Rogers, trained by J.D. Yates.