Whataburger's Whatakid: Tatum Roberts

Tatum Roberts Region V

Congratulations to Tatum Roberts Region 5’s Whatakid. This 17-year-old from Natchitoches, Louisiana, has been deeply involved in rodeo since the eighth grade. Some of Tatum's favorite competitions include the Ote Berry's Junior Steer Wrestling World Championship, Texas high school state finals and Junior World in Vegas.

One of Tatum's proudest moments came last year at the Junior World, where he not only won a significant amount of money but also placed in the top four of the 16 and under incentive and the top 20 overall. His rodeo journey has been marked by consistent performance, having qualified for the state finals three times. Currently, Tatum is ranked 25th in the  Ote Berry's standings. 

Tatum currently rides four of his seven horses, with two specifically trained for steer wrestling and the other two for roping. Bob, one of his primary horses, was acquired 2.5 years ago from South Dakota. Initially, Bob was a bit green and had a tendency to buck, but through patience and training, Tatum has turned him into a reliable partner in competition. 

Preacher, another important horse in Tatum's arsenal, was Tatum's first bulldogging horse but suffered an injury during Tatum's freshman year at the state finals. After a long recovery, Preacher recently returned to competition, and Tatum proudly ran his first steer with him just a few weeks ago, securing second place at a high school rodeo.

Tatum's days are a blend of hard work, school, and rodeo practice. He typically starts his day between 5:00 and 7:00 AM, feeding his horses before diving into either schoolwork or chores around the house. As a senior at a school that operates two days a week, Tatum finishes his classes by 11:00 AM, giving him plenty of time to focus on his rodeo training and other responsibilities.

When he's not attending school, Tatum works a variety of jobs depending on the season. From January to June, he helps out at T Johnny's, a crawfish business owned by a close family friend, where he does everything from boiling crawfish to driving trucks. During the off-season, Tatum finds other work, such as assisting with waterfront construction or farm labor for his uncle. His schedule is always packed, but Tatum thrives on staying busy and constantly learning new skills.

When he's not working or rodeoing, Tatum enjoys hunting and fishing, with duck hunting being a particular favorite. These hobbies provide a relaxing counterbalance to his otherwise hectic life. “I’ve already got everything ready for opening day of dove season”, said Tatum. 

Looking ahead, Tatum plans to attend Texas A&M Commerce, where he will join the rodeo team. He’s excited about the future and envisions a career in business, possibly selling insurance or running his own enterprise. With his strong work ethic and clear goals, Tatum is set on making his dreams a reality.

Tatum lives by the motto: "Surround yourself with like-minded people who support your goals.", said Tatum. He believes that the company you keep has a profound impact on your success and happiness. Inspired by his father's advice to avoid negative influences, Tatum strives to be around those who share his drive and ambition.

Tatum's hero is his father, who has been a guiding force in his life, teaching him the values of hard work, responsibility, and integrity. He also looks up to Tyler Waguespack, a legendary bulldogger, whose approach to the sport and life in general has inspired Tatum to push himself to new heights. “Tyler Waguespack is basically the Tom Brady for our sport”, said Tatum. 

This Whatkid is not just a young rodeo athlete; he is a testament to the power of determination, the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people, and the value of hard work.  “I am extremely honored to represent my region as the Whatkid.”,said Tatum.