Thriving Panhandle Alumni Talks About Inspiring Lifestyle

Recently out in theatres is the western movie Hostiles, set in 1892, it is the story of a legendary Army captain who reluctantly agrees to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory. What makes this movie even more worth your while is the fact that our very own Alumni, Jordan Muncy Taton was a part of the making. Originally supposed to be a wrangler, Jordan arrived on set and was offered the role of riding double. “This fell in my lap at the moment and I took the opportunity and went for it,” says Jordan.

Jordan is an interesting individual in many ways as everything she does is inspiring. Hostiles was her first full-time movie experience although she had helped with a movie during her senior year of High School. Since Hostiles, Jordan has worked on an old war movie called Cliffs of Freedom, that isn’t out yet. Jordan describes her movie experiences as “fun and different” and enjoys the fact that she “gets to be around horses”. She is now on call for any other movie opportunities that come her way.

Outside of the movie business, Jordan has her hands full at the family ranch. Once having about 14 horses to train for clients per day, Jordan has now limited her time to mostly her own horses and a few outside horses. She aspires to make the NFR and be a world champion barrel racer. For the moment, she is busy starting off a new passion, breeding. Jordan has made sales for the top breeders in New Mexico and has developed an interest in breeding and raising her own. “Seeing them be born, and at each step progress,” is very rewarding for Jordan. She states, “I like to be alone and riding my horses, those are my best days.”

Jordan graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in English. She accomplished my things during her educational process at Panhandle State. Jordan was named the Student-Athlete of the Year in 2009 and 2010. Many regional titles were won in order to obtain this honor along with the following national titles; in 2008 Jordan won the Reserve All-Around Title and in 2010 she won the Breakaway and All-Around title. “I love my time at Panhandle, mostly because of the people there,” Jordan says. She also adds that her time spent at Panhandle has brought contacts that have carried on through the years and are crucial to her rodeo career up to this day. 

To conclude, Jordan is a humble individual who values family. She spends her few short periods of free time with her family, whether it is going to watch her niece Marley at cheerleading and basketball, watching her husband Cody at team roping events, or simply spending time with her parents who live nearby. Through the busy schedule and many projects Jordan remains modest. “I’ve learned over the years to just enjoy where you are at the moment”, says Jordan.