HURRICANE — Top-notch cowboys gathered at Washington County Regional Park in Hurricane, the county’s fairgrounds, Wednesday to practice their bareback riding skills – something they regularly do, but this particular Wednesday they were met with the extraordinary challenge of steering “No Filter Show” co-hosts Paul Ford and Grady Sinclair toward a longtime goal:
To grow up to be … C o W b o Y s.
Let’s hear it for the guts, the glory of Paul and Grady in this Episode 59, a bareback bucking bronc backbreaking ball of fun bust-em-out not-so-everyday “No Filter Show” and even … their very first rodeo.
Ride ’em cowboys
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Highschoolers on bareback
High school kids, freshman to senior, are perfecting their bareback riding skills, thanks in part to the generosity of Jay Holcomb, a supporter of the Utah High School Rodeo Association, who shares his own horses for the kids to practice on out at the fairgrounds.
Bareback bronc riders are a dying breed, Jay Holcomb said, and he plans to keep the sport alive by helping kids practice weekly.
Jay Holcomb’s son, Zeke Holcomb, 15, has been riding since last November. The adrenaline rush is what excites him, he said, despite the dangers of the sport.
“You are one of the very few people that can do it and will do it,” Zeke Holcomb said of riding the bucking horses.
The sport is expensive and the Utah High School Rodeo Association doesn’t get a lot of recognition, Jay Holcomb said. The kids are working hard to come up with the money, along with mom and dad supporting them.
“I had a guy once tell me that I can spend a hundred grand investing in my children so that they can do stuff like this, or – I can spend a hundred grand getting them out of jail or out of rehab,” Jay Holcomb said. “I’d much rather spend all my savings spending time with my family.”
Garrison Cannon, 2015-16 Rocky Mountain regional champion in individual tie-down roping and steer wrestling with the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, according to standings posted on the association’s website as of April 13, is one of several volunteers who give their time to help these high school kids progress and work towards their goals.
“I know what’s it’s like to win and it’s just absolutely amazing,” Cannon said. “But I want them to experience it. It’s a breathtaking experience, and these kids have more try and more heart.”
There are plenty of volunteers who willingly spend many hours weekly practicing with these high school kids, Jay Holcomb said.
“These kids are giving their heart,” he said as they practiced in the arena. “You can see them out here. They are out here to win.”
St. George News Reporter Jessica Tempfer contributed the written report to this “No Filter Show.”
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I love, love, love good rodeo. You guy’s horses weren’t even bucking ha ha. Thanks for the video. My grandfather put food on the table and good money in his pocket bare back ridding.
Doesn’t seem like anybody even cares LOL.! This is so lame
We all know who is lame here. Get back on your meds.