story by Siri Stevens
Judd Hebert started his summer by winning the Louisiana State High School Finals in the bull riding, for the fourth time. The 17 year old ended his summer as the International Finals Youth Rodeo and the National High School Bull Riding Champion. He is the only contestant to win both events this year. Judd started with sheep when he was four, moving up to junior bulls, and now senior bulls. He team ropes too, but concentrated on riding bulls. He attributes his success to practicing at the house. “We have bulls at the arena and my dad (Joey) and brother (Jake) help me.”
Judd came into the short round at the NHSFR in second, and had to wait until the high call rode. He bucked off. “I was kind of stunned, and finished packing my stuff and didn’t know where to go.” After he packed his bag, he went in front of the grand stands for interviews, then got on a golf cart to take pictures for Cinch. “After that we got on the golf cart for the awards, and then I took my saddle, buckles, scholarships, money and all kinds of free stuff home,” he said. “I won’t have to buy clothes for a while. Our sponsors are so great to us and so much appreciated.
“I was doing my best and it paid off for me.” Judd has been to the National High School finals two years now. “I came out second at Shawnee last year and didn’t do any good at the Nationals.” This year he worked harder to make himself better. “I practiced a bunch – we have a bunch of practice bulls at our house. I got on the drop barrel – something we learned from Gary Leffew. He put on some bull riding schools at our house. I also rode a lot of horses bareback.” He works on his mental game by clearing his head every time he gets behind the chutes. “I try not to think about much.”
His plans are to make it to the NFR. The 17-year-old is going to be a senior at Iota High School, but admits to not being a big fan of school. “I don’t like thinking that hard,” he said. School starts in a few weeks. “I only have four classes and I’m going to start going to college for a half day at a technical school for instrumentation.” said Judd.
Judd lost his older brother, JD, last October, in an oil rig accident. “I feel like I’m kind of riding for him and he stays on my shoulder,” said Judd.
Judd helps his dad (Joey, a former stock contractor and bull fighter), who manages a big piece of marsh land – 3,500 acres. “We’ll go and hunt alligators – they sell hunts and we go and help guide them. I also find alligator eggs to sell to alligator farms.” When he’s not working or rodeoing, he likes to hunt and fish, ride 4 wheelers and hang out with his friends. “I couldn’t do what I do without the help of family, friends, and all the sponsors.”
