As Bear Lake County native Duke Smith lies in bed to go to sleep, his dreams always take him to the same place — being crowned a national rodeo champion.

For as long as he can remember, Smith has always had a rope in his hand.

Smith has grown up on a dairy farm in Bear Lake, helping milk 80 cows twice a day. All that work has helped him prepare to compete with some of the best competitors on the biggest stages.

“It’s literally what I dream about,” Smith said. “Going to nationals, give myself the chance to even be a national champion one day, and that’s the biggest, my one — I’ve always wanted to be a national champion.”

His first step was getting to the Idaho State Rodeo Finals, which he qualified for, beginning Monday, June 9, and running through Saturday, June 13, at the Bannock County Event Center.

Smith’s journey to the finals began with a lot of competitions in his District 8, where he had two rodeos a weekend every weekend since April.

In those competitions he needed to finish in the top six in his event to qualify for state. Smith participates in tie down, team roping and bulldogging.

In all three events he was able to finish in the top six and move on to the state finals.

“This is what we’re working for, is to be here to have a chance to qualify for nationals to go to Lincoln, Nebraska,” Smith said. “This is what we’re working for all year long.”

He brings with him a lot of experience and different horses for each event.

In his main event, the tie down, he has his trusted horse Fancy, who is 16 years old. He and his family have had her since she was a colt, and he has been riding her for five to six years.

In team roping he has Louie, and in bulldogging he has Xena, whom he transitioned to that event this spring.

Smith has put in the work and feels ready to compete and show what he’s been working for.

“I’m feeling really good, I’ve had a really good spring,” Smith said. “I’m feeling really confident in my practice, and my roping, and especially my bulldogging too, any one of them can go win the round. You just got to worry about doing your job. I’m really excited for this week, and feel really confident that I’m going to do my job and let it all happen how it does.”

These six days for Smith have been what he has worked so hard for.

Every day he is out at the ranch milking cows before the sun comes up, and every day he has a rope in his hand. All those early mornings and long days were building toward this moment, a chance to hear his name called as a top finisher and carry Idaho’s banner to the national finals in Lincoln, Neb.

One step closer to the national championship, a dream he literally dreams about.