NSRA member, Lane Gambill – Sugar Creek Photos
story by Lily Weinacht
Chaps and bull ropes run in the Gambill family. Lane Gambill of Johnstown, Neb., grew up on the rodeo stories his dad, a former bull rider and bullfighter, told. Lane caught the same passion for the sport in high school. “My dad never pushed me to ride bulls – I’ve always wanted to do it since I was a little kid,” says the 22-year-old. “I got on my first bull when I was 15 at the Johnstown Rodeo Bible Camp and rode a few every year, but I didn’t start riding competitively until I was a senior in high school.” During his one and only year of high school rodeo, Lane was chosen as an alternate for the NHSFR in bull riding, while in 2014, he won the bull riding in the NSRA, and qualified for the Don Gay World Finals Series in Wichita, Kan., last fall.
Latne joined the NSRA in 2012, and he also competes in the MSRA and NRCA. His latest turn on the rodeo trail has him filling his PRCA permit with the hope of qualifying for the 2016 Badlands Circuit Finals. “Rodeo is something you’ve got to love to do,” says Lane. “You work hard for it. I love what goes with riding bulls – you meet a lot of great people, make friends you would’ve never met before, and travel up and down the road. Your body takes a beating – I guess that’s why you’ve got to crave it and keep pushing for it!”
Since he got on his first bull seven year ago, Lane has had the help of numerous people, including his dad, Brad Gambill, Chad Brennan, and Ryan Robinson. “Chad has made it to the NFR and PBR World Finals, and whether you get down on yourself or you’re riding really good, he’s there to keep you positive and keep you going in the right direction,” explains Lane. “Ryan fights bulls, so we can discuss bull riding from different perspectives and help each other out – he always keeps me positive. Cody Moon also taught me a lot – I used to get on bulls quite a bit at his place.” Lane often travels with his uncle to rodeos, while his dad and older brother, Taylor, join him occasionally as well.
Following high school, Lane jumped right into rodeo and helping his dad and grandpa run their ranch, located about 12 miles from the nearest town. “We run about 500 head of cattle,” says Lane. “I really enjoy getting away from everything and not worrying about anything but what’s in front of me.” Lane also team ropes at home and the occasional jackpot roping with his dad, though much of his spare time is spent breaking colts. “I’ve been doing it since I was a freshman. I buy them anywhere from yearlings to two-year-olds and sell them a few years later. I like to get them solid for ranching.” The remainder of Lane’s time is dedicated to fishing or hunting, particularly deer and coyotes.
“My goal last year was to win the NSRA and MSRA, and I ended up winning the NSRA, so one of my goals is to still win Mid-States,” says Lane. “Otherwise, I’m going to keep focusing on going pro. It’s been a goal ever since I was little to be a pro rodeo cowboy.” He adds, “I thank God for giving me the life I have. You just have to do your best, remember that you’re rodeoing for fun, use what you’ve got, and thank God for giving you what you have.”
