Meet the Member Bryce Eck

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Bryce Eck - C Bar C Photography

story by Lindsay Humphrey

“I just like getting on buckin’ horses and that’s what I crave to do,” said Bryce Eck who’s both a bareback and saddlebronc rider in the KHSRA. “I know that I have to work hard all week to make sure I’ve got my skills down and have confidence in those to get on during the weekend.” Following in the footsteps of his dad, Andy, who was a bareback rider, Bryce was introduced to the suitcase handle as a young kid. “We got on a few bucking ponies every once in a while, but then took a break before getting back into it just before my freshman year of high school.” It was around this time that Bryce realized he wanted to give saddlebronc riding a try as well. He’s been honing his skills in both events ever since.
More than just introducing him to the sport, Bryce’s dad is his built-in coach at home. “My dad helps me on the spur board a bunch. We probably do that just about every day.” Coach Chad Cross at Fort Scott Community College and the athletes under his direction have proven pivotal to Bryce’s rodeo career. “I’ve been practicing with the team as much as I can since I was a freshman. They’ve helped me really get my technique down and I probably wouldn’t be as far along without them.” Now a senior at Union Town High School, Bryce plans to rodeo for Fort Scott next fall. Until then, he has two KHSRA state titles to defend in the coming season.
Even though Bryce has qualified for and competed at nationals for the last three years in both events, but he’s never done so as the state champion. He managed to win both bareback and saddlebronc this past summer. A few setbacks in his rides kept Bryce out of the short round at nationals, but he enjoyed the opportunity to compete against the best riders in the nation again. “It’s always nice going to nationals knowing that I have to show up to compete if I want a chance at winning.” At the 2020 event, Bryce won the first performance of the bareback before making it back to the short round. It’s easily the best he’s done at nationals so far, but he has another year to prove himself. He was also crowned the state all-around champion this year, which he intends to repeat in 2022.
Even though he has lofty goals, Bryce keeps everything in perspective to stay focused on each ride. “I just want to ride my very best every time I run my hand in a riggin’ or put my feet in the stirrups. I try to work out every day so I can keep my body prepared and I work on the spur board to continue improving my technique and timing.” Bryce always keeps his equipment in tip top shape simply because he never knows when he might get on next, and he isn’t one to turn down the opportunity for a ride. His hunger for the sport is only comparable to his work ethic for both his sport and way of life on the ranch.
“We ride a bunch of colts here on the ranch, so that’s a good way to work on some things for my events. But whenever I have free time, all I want to do is get on more buckin’ horses.” Training colts and working cattle at home helped Bryce learn what it means to both work hard and play hard. He’s continued to develop this mental toughness through wrestling at school. “Wrestling is a tough sport. There are a lot of long, hard practices and that really carries over into riding buckin’ horses for me. You need a tough mind for both when it comes to practice and competing.” This past winter Bryce was the state champion in the 152-weight class. And this summer he continued to prove that he’s got grit when he won the bareback riding at the inaugural World Championship Junior Rodeo held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie. As Bryce finishes his senior season, he’ll also make appearances in the CePRA, URA, ACRA and Super Series. He’s really looking forward to riding on his PRCA permit next summer.

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Meet the Member Bryce Eck

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Kansas High School Rodeo (KHSRA)