Justin Quint qualified for his first WSRRA National Finals in 2013. This year he has his eye on the world championship title – Mary Williams Hyde
Justin Quint
courtesy of WSRRA
Going into the 2013 WSRRA National Finals, Justin Quint, of Akron, Colorado, was ranked 18th in the ranch bronc riding standings, three slots out of qualifying for the event. However, a few contestants drew out of the finals, bumping him into the 15th slot. A first-year member and relatively unknown to many of the contestants, the majority of whom hail from west of the Rocky Mountains, Justin quickly became known as a bronc rider with a strong will to win. He placed in two of the three long rounds and third in the short round. He ended his rookie year eighth in the world.
This year, Justin is hitting as many WSRRA-sanctioned rodeos as he can during weekends, traveling as far as Oregon and Washington to compete. He is also one of the association’s bronc riding representatives, representing Colorado and Nebraska. He has been instrumental in promoting the association and encouraging ranch rodeos in his region to sanction with the WSRRA.
The 36-year-old cowboy works for Timmerman and Sons Cattle Feeding in Fleming, Colorado, rides a few colts and day-works during slow times at the feedlot.
WSRRA Member Since: 2013
Events: Justin rides ranch broncs and is a member of the Epp Cattle Company team.
National Finals Qualifications: At the 2013 finals, Justin competed on the 6 Diamond Livestock team with Dusty Gilbert, Ray Newtson and Marty Yearous. He also qualified in the ranch bronc riding and placed eighth in the world.
Justin Quint
Q & A:
How did you get started in ranch bronc riding?
I got my start riding broncs like most people, I guess, by getting on horses that weren’t supposed to buck. I think the first bucking horse I had was a little red roan Shetland pony I called “Shermie.” The first day I rode him he bucked me and the saddle off in the middle of the round pen. I’ve enjoyed riding bucking horses ever since.
I’ve ridden ranch broncs since 2006 when a friend convinced me to give it a try. We went to Lakin, Kansas, and I drew a horse from the J Bar J string named “G.I. Jane.” How I made the whistle I’ll never know, but I won the rodeo and was hooked.
What win are you most proud of and why?
I’m most proud of my third-round win at the WSRRA National Finals last year. I split the round with Mike McBeth, who went on to win the world championship. I really proved to myself that I could ride with those guys, and it really boosted my confidence going into this season.
Who has been your biggest bronc-riding influence, and what’s the best advice that person gave you?
It’s really hard to narrow it down to just one person. I’ve had a lot of influences over the years, and I’ve tried to take advice from anybody who is willing to give it. If it works for me that’s great, and if it doesn’t that’s okay, too. The piece of advice that’s always stuck with me is my dad always telling me, “Keep a leg on each side and my mind in the middle.”
The two guys going down the road that I look up to the most are Travis Yutzie and Pook Hoots. One day, I hope to be able to grow a mustache like Travis and swing a rope like Pook. Those guys are my heroes!
What do you enjoy the most about competing in the WSRRA and ranch bronc riding?
The thing I enjoy most about competing in the WSRRA is that it’s a family. Someone is always there to lend a hand if you need one. I’ve met some truly amazing people and made some lifelong friends in just the short time I’ve been involved in the association. The WSRRA is all about keeping ranching traditions alive and not just for the guys but also for everybody. I also like the fact that anybody can compete. You don’t have to work on some big ranch and meet a bunch of qualifications to be able to come play.
How does ranch bronc riding help you in other aspects of your life?
Ranch bronc riding helps me to remember to keep battling no mater what that horse throws at you. If you give up, you’re going to get your head drove into the ground. I think the same [is true] with life.
What has been your biggest win so far this season?
Pendleton [Cattle Barons Weekend in Pendleton, Oregon, April 26-27] was a lot of fun! I ended up second in the long go and first in the short go.
Mike Corey had one of the rankest pens of broncs I’ve ever seen, let alone had the chance to get on. They had an amazing crowd that was loud, the horses were firing, and we were on the famous grounds of the Pendleton Round-Up. It had all the things that keep guys like me going down the road.
I drew a little bay mare in the long go, and I could tell that it was going to be good as soon as I went to saddle her. The first jump out of the chute I felt like I was sitting on top of the world. She stumbled coming down and I thought we were in for a crash. But she regained her footing and really went to blowing. She bucked me off shortly after the whistle. I drew a big black horse called Wind Stalker in the short go, and he was big and stout. He made a nice little circle and jerked a bunch of rein through my hand. Until that moment, I’d never realized that a 10-second whistle was that long. He piled me up right at the whistle. I was 77 points, which was enough to win the short go. It didn’t take long for the pain to go away when they handed me that new buckle, coat and checks for over $2,000. It’s by far the biggest payday at one rodeo I’d ever seen.
What is your idea weekend?
My ideal weekend is to be with a pickup load of bronc riders headed to a bronc riding, and when we leave we take all the money and all the girls!
What five things do you never hit the road without?
1) A spare everything: My worst fear is making the short-go somewhere and not being able to ride because something is broke. 2) Good tunes: I spend way too many hours driving not to have them. 3) A slicker: You never know what the weather is going to do. 4) Plenty of Red Bull: I have to have one before I ride or I don’t feel right. 5) Good friends, either other bronc riders or just someone going along for the ride. It’s always good to have a traveling partner.
What bronc would you like to draw this season and why?
I hope to draw Wes Clegg’s bronc, Radical. I know the only time I’ll probably ever see him is in the short go at the finals. He’s the one to win the round on, and I know it’s going to be a battle. It could go one of two ways: Either we’re going to earn a lot of points, or I’m going to get my head driven into the ground.
What would you most like to accomplish in ranch rodeo?
Well, of course, I want to be a world champion bronc rider, but more importantly, I want to see the WSRRA grow. I want to see just as many bronc ridings and ranch rodeos in Colorado and Nebraska as there are in the western states. We already have more than three times as many points up for grabs in this region than we did last year. I’d like to see more teams and bronc riders getting the same or better chances of getting to [the finals] to showcase their skills.
