RMPRA member, Cody Franson – Phil Gibbons
story by Terry Rhodes
Cody Franson has been in the Rocky Mountain association for the last three years and went to the RMPRA Finals for the first time last year. Cody says the association is a great place to rodeo. “I really like how down-home the atmosphere is at RM’s. You get to know everybody. They’re fantastic people to work with. The stock contractors want you see you ride, they’re not there to get you bucked off. I’d like to thank the Mascaros’ and Germans’ for always helping me out and being good friends.” Bareback is Cody’s primary and every now and then he’ll get on a bull.
He has just bought his PRCA card and will be hitting some of the pro shows this summer. “I’d like to get to 13 of the pro rodeos so I can try to make the Wilderness Circuit Finals. I’ve got five scheduled and am looking at more. I travel with my cousin, Justin Franson.”
Cody, 21, is a third generation rodeo cowboy. “I grew up on a ranch and have always loved that life. My grandpa, Sheldon Franson and my dad both rode barebacks. I was really influenced by both of them. I rode sheep when I was small and started riding bulls when I was in the 9th grade and picked up barebacks at the end of my junior year. And my younger sister, Nicole barrel races.” Cody attended Snow College and rodeoed on a scholarship where he studied ag education. “I plan on going to USU to finish my degree.”
In the world of rodeo Cody says that Bobby Mote is someone he looks up to and tries to emulate. “I like the way he rides and he is a really good guy outside of the arena.” Preparation for rodeo means daily workouts on his spur board and doing plenty of mental preparation. “I like the book ‘Psycho Cybernetics’. I like to get my head right and in a thinking attitude. At the rodeo, I like to stay loose and relaxed and when it’s time to ride I click into my riding mode and do what I have to do. I do say a prayer before I ride.” Cody has a competitive nature that helps him in the arena. “I don’t like to quit and I don’t like to give up. I leave it all in the arena and do what I have to do to be the best.”
His parents are Jim and Lara Franson. During the week Cody works at a landscape company. “I work as a landscaper curber eight to ten hours a day. I shovel sand into a mixer, clean out sod. It’s a good workout and keeps me in shape.” Leisure time is spent hunting or going on horseback rides with cousins. “I like bowhunting on my uncle’s place in Kansas for whitetail. And I like working on the farm and working with horses. And I hang out with friends and family.”
Goals for the future are to get married, start a family, and finish his education. “I’d like to make it to the NFR a couple of times. With my degree completed, I’d like to be teaching school.” These goals won’t come easy and Cody knows there is plenty of work ahead. He believes in the adage, “You can’t have a million dollar dream with a minimum wage work ethic.”
