Jackson Taylor
Age: 33
Occupation: Cowboy
Hometown: Lockney, Texas
Competed: Season 2
Daring, bold, and authentic, fifth-generation Texas panhandle cowboy, Jackson Taylor lived the ranch life since he was 15. Jackson didn’t just talk the talk—he walked the walk and proved to be a strong contender, skilled, brave, and upbeat with an unstoppable work ethic. He made it through a respectable seven grueling rounds in Season 2 before hitting the trail back to Texas.
Taylor had been living in Amarillo, Texas—but when his grandmother passed away in April, he returned to Lockney to assist his family. He worked at starting colts, riding clients’ horses, and helping his uncle run 1,000 head of cattle near his hometown. Though still quite a character and jokester, Taylor shifted his priorities to the things that mattered most to him—his family, his well-being, and training horses.
Several months after the filming of Ultimate Cowboy Showdown: All-Stars wrapped, Jackson Taylor was tragically killed in a rodeo bronc riding accident. We continue to mourn his loss and honor his big heart and big life during this season’s episodes. Read INSP’s tribute to Jackson here.