The first time I met Teigen was right here in Wheatland at the high school rodeo. I was new to Wyoming and he made me feel right at home. The first thing I noticed was his impressive beard and his wonderful smile, then I got to know the guy behind the beard and the grin. He reached out and made sure I had everything I needed, I asked him to push my calf and he did from that day on. Ever since, we were great friends. I went to Teigen whenever I needed advice and he was there to give it, either to help me solve it or just to tell me not to worry, he always made things feel okay.
As a friend, Teigen had everything you could ever need. A smile to pick you up, a joke to make you laugh, a shoulder to cry on, and even a swift kick when you needed it. He was always the fi rst to offer a helping hand, even if you were across the country. He made everybody feel like a somebody. But Teigen wasn’t just there for his friends in the arena, he was a genuine friend, hard to fi nd these days. He showed us to always go after your dreams, but never lose track of your happiness. He had such an interest in his friends and their lives. He always answered his phone just to chat and swap wild stories. Teigen was never too tough to walk up and bear hug you, any place, any time. He was a sensitive guy, and never too proud to show his emotions. He was compassionate and empathetic with anything his peers were going through. He always had everyone’s back, behind them all the way. His support to his friends was so strong, he left you feeling like superman; able to accomplish anything. Teigen truly loved his friends and he would do anything for every one of them. While Teigen was always eager to help and lift us up, he never missed an opportunity to give his buddies a little grief. The best part was that he could take it just as well as he could dish it.
He never had a bad word to say, but instead offered only positive words of encouragement to any and everyone he met. Teigen loved life and he loved what he did; he had an infectious personality. He was hard working and gritty; the epitome of a true cowboy. There was never something Teigen didn’t work for and he did it all with a smile on his face.
The testimonies to Teigen that his friends have shared over the past few days have shown that his powerful work ethic, shit-eating grin, and loving personality were second to none. He loved the sport of rodeo, but even more, he loved his family and friends he met along the way. Teigen, you were a fi erce competitor, an even better cowboy, and one hell of a friend, we will miss you, but as you would like us to do, we will keep moving forward with you in our hearts.