Meet the Member Tony McDowell
story by Michele Toberer There’s luck, then there’s beginners’ luck, and Tony McDowell may just have both. Although the argument that luck is just preparation […]
Landyn Bradley at the West Georgia Junior Rodeo - Stephanie Paris
story by Michele Toberer
“I’m a cowboy,” is not what Kendall and Micheal Bradley expected to hear from their son, Landyn. Though they thought it was just a phase he would grow out of, what Landyn repeatedly told them with so much conviction, finally convinced them to reach out to a family friend for help. They took 9-year-old Landyn to a local West Georgia Junior Rodeo Association event in Franklin, Georgia where David Paris, Sr. explained how things would go. “He talked with Landyn and helped him get on his first steer at the rodeo, but first told us that it was likely to go one of two ways. He said he’d either see that it felt different than it looked at the PBR events he’d been watching on television and get scared and never come back; or, he’d be a natural at it and in that case we better get used to the rodeo life, because we were going to be here awhile,” explained Kendall. Fast forward to three years later, and not only is Landyn now riding bulls, he’s dreaming of being a stock contractor one day and has already started his own herd of bucking bulls.
Now a 12-year-old 6th grader at Monroe County Middle School, Landyn recently earned the coveted 2019 International Miniature Rodeo Association Champion Junior Bull Rider title after competing on four bulls at the IMRA finals held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma during the International Professional Rodeo Association’s IFR50. He was able to qualify for the finals by competing at the WGJRA’s IMRA sanctioned events during the 2019 season; and competing at the IMFR was an experience he’ll never forget. “I was able to compete on my final-round bull during the IFR50 performance with the big guys competing for world titles, so that was pretty awesome. It was really fun getting to meet bull riders from all over the country because where I go to school there’s not any other kids that rodeo.”
Landyn also competed in bareback riding throughout the season, qualifying him for the IMFR after winning the 2019 WGJRA Champion Junior Bareback Rider title. Although he qualified in both events, he only competed in bull riding at the IMFR. Kendall and Micheal still find it a bit incredulous that this young son of theirs has jumped into this new world with both feet. Kendall mentioned, “We didn’t have much of a sports background at all, I am a practice manager for Georgia Urology, and Micheal is in the elevator union in Atlanta, Georgia. But, Landyn’s older sister, Skylar Elkins, 16, has been a dedicated softball player for years. Landyn grew up watching his sister excel in softball. She currently plays as catcher for a national travel softball team, Georgia Impact, and recently was signed for a full-ride sports scholarship to Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, where she will begin attending in 2022. Stepping into rodeo has been a whole new thing for us, people welcome you in and although it’s competitive, they’re competing more against the animal than each other so it’s like a brotherhood where they help each other.”
Landyn is grateful to Dakota Paris and Ethan Ray for all their help with his riding. Landyn’s supportive family has not only allowed him to follow his rodeo aspirations, they’ve also moved to the country so he could have the space to build his own herd of bucking bulls. “I have four in my herd right now, with one on the way. I used my winnings at the IMFR to buy my first American Bucking Bull Incorporated cow, Kitty Scat, which has been bred to a really good bucking bull named Bob. I’m hoping that her calf will be a great bucking bull one day.” Landyn’s herd name is Triple B Bucking Bulls, and he hopes to one day work as a stock contractor, putting on his own events, in addition to riding bulls.
“It’s so exciting when the bull riding starts, and you get an adrenaline rush as everyone gets excited. One day I’d like to ride like my favorite bull rider, JB Mauney, and compete in PRCA and PBR events. The IMRA is giving me a great foundation to build on.”
story by Michele Toberer There’s luck, then there’s beginners’ luck, and Tony McDowell may just have both. Although the argument that luck is just preparation […]
story by Michele Toberer Currently reigning as the 2021 International Miniature Rodeo Association Reserve Champion Senior Barrel Racer, Abbey Lanier has already started setting her […]
Story by Michele Toberer What a year it has been for Kira Hillary of Glen Allen, Missouri! The 14-year-old homeschooled freshman may not have a […]
Phone: 815-342-3777
Visit Our Website
TERMS:
Rodeo Newstm (ISSN 1934-5224) is published 12 times a year, semi-monthly May-Nov; once in Dec Jan, Feb., March, and April by Publication Printers, 2001 S. Platte River Drive, Denver, Colo., 80223. Iris Ink, Inc., parent company of Rodeo News is located at 3604 WCR 54G, Laporte, Colo., 80535. Subscriptions are $30 per year. Periodicals postage paid at LaPorte, Colo., and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Rodeo News, PO Box 842, LaPorte, Colo., 80535.
Canada Post (CPC) publication #40798037. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Rodeo News carries advertising and editorials as a service to the readers. However, publication of advertisements and editorials in Rodeo News does not commit Rodeo News to agree with or guarantee any of the merchandise or livestock advertised.
South Eastern Youth Rodeo Assoc.. – Florida – August 22nd & 23rd, 2020
Call in 2 weeks before rodeo
June Ates Arena, MIlton FL
Bryson Harpole 501-605-6476
Lightning H Rodeo
Arkansas
August 22- El Paso, AR-IMRA
August 29- NCCR- IMRA, Clinton Ar
September 26-TBA -IMRA
Call in Monday night before event 5pm to 10pm
Christina Griffith 731-571-9685
Skullbone Buckers
Tennessee
August 15th 2020 Halls TN
Association has cancelled all rodeos this year.
Joe and Melody Pratt 706-508-2108
West Georgia Junior Rodeo
Georgia
Aug 1st,2020 (Call In July 23)
Aug 29th, 2020 (Call -in August 20)
Sept 19th,2020 Call-in September 10)
www.westgajrrodeo.com
Gus Haley 765-570-3924
Rafter H Mini Broncs
Indiana
August 1st – Kankakee IL
August 13th – Georgetown IL
August 30st – Peotone IL IMRA Qualifier
September 19th – Joliet IL IMRA Qualifier
Call in Monday before each event
Angela Schliesser 907-414-8788
Rodeo Tough Productions
California
More dates coming in August, September and October.
Mike Launius – 870-451-2304
Riding For The Brand Tour
Josh Burrow 918-257-0313
Missouri
August 22 – White Oak Arena (Double Point Event)
Sept 11-12 – Finals TBA
Greg Christie 256-612-4178
Boys from the South Mini Buckers
Alabama
August 14th & 15th – Fayetteville, AL
Rick Rector 580-258-0319
D&R Mini Bucking Bulls
Missouri
August 28th & 29th – Cuba, MO
September 11th & 12th – Iberia Kasper Farm, MO
Call in – Monday before each rodeo. You may enter online at bwrodeo@outlook.com or call 573-793-3193 from 6pm to 9pm. Any questions please call 573-336-5066
Ashley 641-295-0393
Tuff Nuff Miniature Rodeo
Iowa
August 1st-2nd, 2020 – Dayton, IA
August 15th-16th, 2020 – Dayton, IA
September 5th, 2020 – Chilhowee, MO
September 12th,2020 – Dayton, IA
Call in (or Text-In) Monday Prior from 6-9pm