RMPRA member Kurtis Turner – John Golom
story by Terry Rhodes
Rodeo is supposed to be fun, and for Kurtis Turner, a member of the RMPRA, he’s making sure that it stays that way. “Bull riding is what I love to do and I just want to have fun. That’s what this sport is all about and I try to keep it fun.” he likes being a part of the RMPRA group. “It’s a really good association to be in and they have a lot of good rodeos to go to and the stock contractors are really good, too.” This year Kurtis has been competing in the PRCA as well and is trying to make the Wilderness Circuit Finals.
Kurtis was 14 years old when he got started riding bulls with the encouragement of a good friend, Ethan Glockner. “Ethan rode bulls and he talked me into giving it a try. Then, I had a cousin, Kyle Bell, that used to ride bulls and I got all his bull riding gear to start off with. Kyle talked my mom into letting me get on and he put me on my first bull. Without Kyle, I don’t think I’d be riding bulls right now. My mom wasn’t too thrilled with the idea of me riding bulls.” Kurtis was the first in his family to rodeo but after he got started his older brother, Jared decided he’d give it shot too.
In the years since that first breakout ride, Kurtis’ mother has gotten used to the idea that her son is a bull rider. “She doesn’t mind near as much now that I know a lot more about bull riding. You don’t get hurt as much after you learn more about it. They like to come to the closer rodeos and watch me ride and support me.”
Kurtis says that Bill Bundy in St. George, Utah helped him developed his bull riding skills. “He had a turnback pen in his backyard and my brother and I would come down every week and get on bulls. So, that is where I really think a learned the most about bull riding, is from going to Bill’s place.”
Kurtis, 21, lives in Washington, Utah with his family. His parents are Kendal and Jodi Turner. Kurtis names his parents as being his biggest influence and says, “They’ve put up with me and let me get away with a lot, and they let me rodeo. When I was in high school rodeo, my dad would come to all my rodeos and wouldn’t miss any of them.”
Between rodeos, Kurtis works in the family business. “My family owns some storages sheds in Washington so whenever I’m home I work for them. There is maintenance work to do, and right now we’re building a new office building. It just depends on the day; there is always something that needs to be done.” Leisure time is spent doing some hunting or fishing. Goals for the future are to continue to ride bulls as long as he can.
