KIDS GET A LESSON IN RODEO 101
Hinton, Okla..: (April 15, 2009) – Kids in Oklahoma had a chance to learn more about rodeo last week.
The ProRodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) hosted a two-day day camp on April 10-11 for prospective bareback and saddle bronc riders at the Crosstie Arena in Hinton, Oklahoma.
Approximately ten students learned about safety techniques, watched video tapes of bareback and saddle bronc riders, learned the correct spurring moves, and had their riding equipment checked.
Several PRCA cowboys donated their time and expertise in teaching the class. Four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier and saddle bronc rider Bobby Griswold, Geary, Okla., along with Shank Stephens, Hinton, Okla., and bareback riders Dusty Gracia, Eakly, Okla., and Dustin Murray, Wellston, Okla. discussed with students everything from the procedure in entering PRCA rodeos to how to dismount from a bucking horse onto the pickup man and his horse.
Murray said the camp was a good experience. “It was basically a PRCA 101(class) and a good tool for guys that are just starting out or wanting to see if this is something they would be interested in.” Students did not get on live bucking horses for practice. They practiced on broke saddle horses by loading them in the chutes and putting bareback riggings or bronc saddles on them. Instructors led the horses into the arena, while students practiced spurring moves (minus the spurs) and getting off the horse onto a pickup man.
The PRCA plans to host four or five camps similar to Hinton’s across the nation each year. Two camps are scheduled for June – one in Dayton, Iowa and another in Cody, Wyoming.
Murray sees these camps as a way to generate more interest in the riding events in rodeo. “Bareback riding is a dying sport, and that’s why I volunteered my time,” he said. “When these kids come, have fun, have good instructors, if maybe a few kids ride barebacks (in the pros), it’s a great thing. I hope it continues.”
For more information on upcoming classes, email Julie Jutten at the PRCA at jjutten@prorodeo.com.
