By Magie Downares-Nevius
Walking into the 2015 CPRA Finals with an approximate $2,400 lead in the standings pushed Lane Morrow to dominating the bareback riding event in Grand Junction, Colo. The 33-year-old cowboy took to the association’s 40th Anniversary in-style and won the first and second go-rounds and tied for first and second place in the third-round to triumph as the CPRA Finals champion with 238 points on three head. His success during the finals only bumped up his season record and Lane left with his first CPRA year-end title to join the Hall of Champions with over $8,800 in season winnings. “I couldn’t have had a better summer and would say that it is definitely the best I’ve ever had,” Lane said.
Initially joining the CPRA when he was still in high school, Lane took a break from the organization as the rodeo trail veered elsewhere. During that time, he was able to find achievement within the Nebraska State Rodeo Association, where he was crowned the year-end champion in 2003, and reserve champion in 2013-2014, along with third in the standings from 2005 to 2007. The Brush, Colo., resident returned to the CPRA after about 10 years and finished as the CPRA reserve champion bareback rider in 2014. His finish looked to motivate for the following year and, although, he was forced to take a three-week break midseason with injuries to his riding hand; he still managed to wrap up the title with over $2,800 above his closest competitor. “It was actually a blessing in disguise. I came back a lot stronger in those last two weeks of the season,” Lane said.
While riggins are now his passion, Lane really got his start on the opposite end of the arena. “I started roping through my family. I’ve been riding a horse since I was big enough to walk and roping not long after that,” he recalled. His career as a roper led to a series of titles, where Lane was crowned the National High School champion team roper in 1998. Upon moving to Red Bluff with his family, he continued as a two-time California state champion team roper and third in the bull dogging (2000-2001), along with third in the Nation in the team roping the same year. His path as a bareback rider did not start until he was a junior. “I got started when my body had matured a little through Jake King, which I think was a good thing,” Lane said. Having gotten a later start, compared to most bareback riders, Lane took to the event right away and finished sixth at Nationals in 2001. “All-in-all, I’d say that I’ve had a pretty good career. I have really enjoyed it and I just love riding bucking horses. The only factor now is my age and the fact that I’ve put my body through hell,” Lane said.
In his off-time from the mark-out, Lane makes his living through his own business “Morrow Portable Welding”. He and his wife of 3 years (Taren) returned to Lane’s original stomping grounds in 2012, where they will raise their children (daughters: Harper, 2 and Hayven, 8 months and stepson: Blayden, 7). In addition, Lane is the past head coach for the Fort Morgan peewee wrestling program. “Blayden is definitely the jock of the family. He was able to finish last year ranked second in the state in wrestling. His dad and my best friend (Josh Larson) were coaching him, but have decided that we have taken him as far as we can. It is now time for someone else to carry on,” Lane said.
At the time being Lane seems to be sitting on top of the world, but the rodeo-athlete already has his eyes on the future. Although, he has not held his PRCA card in about 5 years, Lane would like to make a run at the Mountain States Circuit Finals and the RAM National Circuit Finals next year. “It will all depend on what my sponsor (Shawn Pike at Pike’s Auto Care) and I decide on. Shawn has truly been a blessing for me and my family. If it was not for him, I couldn’t have gone so hard this season,” Lane said.
