For cowboy Larry E. Sherwood, age is a state of mind.

Photo by Reece Hadlock

Larry E. Sherwood ropes in his 61st consecutive Round Valley Rodeo in Eager, Ariz., July 4. The 85-year-old Eager Arizona Stake patriarch says rodeo is a way of life.

"You are never any older than you let yourself get," said the 85-year-old Eager Arizona Stake patriarch. "I am not going to get old."

That's why Brother Sherwood participated in the Round Valley Rodeo July 4 in Eagar, Ariz. — something he has done every year since 1944.

Rodeo, he explained, is simply a way of life.

One of 14 children, Brother Sherwood of the Springerville Ward was raised on a little ranch in Eager. "We had to make our own entertainment. We would rope and ride and play."

As a result, Brother Sherwood learned to love all things rodeo at a young age; he roped in his first local rodeo a little over a year after returning from the Southern States Mission. Since then he has roped "here and there and everywhere." But he never misses performing for the home crowd. This year was his 61st consecutive appearance in the Round Valley Rodeo.

"We don't stand a chance in winning," he said. "All these kids are getting tougher every year. Just to do it is our aim. It is a little slower than we used to do it, but we still do it."

For years, Brother Sherwood roped with partner Floyd Penrod, also an active Church member and nearly 20 years his junior. In 1995, the pair participated in the United States Team Roping Championships in Guthrie, Okla. They qualified for the national finals by winning the Desert Hills Classic in Phoenix, Ariz. Back then, Brother Sherwood said, they were at least 30 years older than most all of their competitors. Today, the age gap is a decade larger.

However, Brother Penrod couldn't participate this year so his son, Sherod Penrod, stepped forward. Younger generations in Eager all want Brother Sherwood to ride again, he said.

"My grandkids tell me I have got to keep going. I told them this was the last year, but they haven't given in yet."

After riding, Brother Sherwood knew he had done well when he heard, "Grandpa, you got a standing ovation."

It wasn't that much of a surprise, through. Most of Brother Sherwood's seven children, 31 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren were there to watch. The family had started the day by preparing a family float and riding in the Eager Independence Day parade.

One observer told Brother Sherwood after the rodeo, "You'd have thought that the whole audience knew you."

"Well," said the patriarch-cowboy, "about all of them do."

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