KJRA member Brock Burgman – Foto Cowboy
story by Lily Weinacht
Brock Burgman from Leonardville, Kan., has been competing in the KJRA since he was three. Inspired by his older sister, who competes in the KHSRA, Brock, now ten, competes in breakaway roping, calf riding, goat tying, barrel racing, and pole bending. Calf riding is his current favorite. “It’s one step closer to becoming a professional bull rider,” says Brock, who dreams of a career riding bulls – or working as a mechanic. In 2014, he got on his first large bull at the American Royal Youth Invitational, while placing second in the bareback riding – his first time climbing on a bucking horse. Though Brock is finding stiff competition in the breakaway roping, he is nothing less than determined to keep climbing the standings. He is known for his persistence, having once torn his ear after falling off his horse, and being more upset about leaving the rodeo to go to the emergency room for stitches, than he was about his injury.
During his first rodeo of the 2013 season in Newton, Kan., Brock caught his calf in the breakaway roping and rode his calf for the full six seconds, a heartening start, particularly as he transitioned to harder events after dummy roping and sheep riding. Brock’s sister, Jada (14), often helps him practice, while he also looks up to fellow KJRA member Cadon Remington, Mike Hazabaker, and the Pope family. And at the same time Brock and Jada are sharing practice tips with each other, they also share their rodeo horses, Shadow, and Minnie. Brock and Shadow have an especially strong bond as they compete in the barrel racing, pole bending, and goat tying, while Brock breakaway ropes on Minnie. “Jada and I don’t fit in the same saddle, so we can’t take turns back and forth, but if I have baseball or basketball practice, Jada will ride on those days,” Brock explains.
The Burgman’s ranch near Leonardville is home to their Angus and Angus Cross beef cattle, which Brock and Jada play a sizeable role in helping their parents, David and Jane, with. From tagging calves to sorting and gathering cows for AI, the brother and sister are primary ranch hands. Brock also raises 4-H steers, using the money from his sale each year to purchase grain for more steers, and pay for rodeo entry fees. Brock additionally raises chickens and sells the eggs, using a portion of his egg money for rodeo as well.
Brock’s plans for the summer are focused on practicing, but he will also be going to his county fair for 4-H. He will be showing his steers, as well as showing Shadow and Minnie and competing on them in the speed events and western pleasure. “When Jada and I are washing steers, we have water fights to keep cool,” describes Brock, who is also looking forward to a trip to Worlds of Fun, an amusement park in Kansas City, Mo. Much of his summer is also devoted to playing baseball with his team, the Riley County Falcons. It is his third summer with the team, and Brock’s positions include catcher, left field, and second base.
Rodeo, however, is the main theme of Brock’s summer, and his goals include winning several buckles. Another goal is catching one calf a weekend in the breakaway roping, and continuing to improve in his calf riding. “I think I’d like to keep rodeoing as I get older,” Brock reflects, “and I was told that any expert was once a beginner.”
