story by Michele Toberer
International Professional Rodeo Association Rookie Champion Bull Rider, Lukasey Morris, stepped into competition with the “big boys” in a BIG way, earning a title that many grown men aspire to. Contestants at IFR50 definitely took notice of the homeschooled 17-year-old high school junior, as he rode three of his four championship bulls at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. “It was pretty exciting to compete at the IFR and even though I was definitely the youngest one there, the guys all treated me like a grown man.”
Thirteen years ago, the Union City, Oklahoma cowboy got his start in the world of rodeo as he straddled a wild and wooly sheep at his first junior rodeo when he was 4. Lukasey’s father, Jimmy Morris, watched him ride into a future he was destined for as he helped him out of the chute that day. Jimmy was the 1989 national high school champion bull rider, won Cheyenne in 1993, and judged the PBR world finals the year Lukasey was born. He spent several years judging PBR and open bull riding jackpots before stating pipeline inspection two years ago. Lukasey rode calves, then steers, before moving up to bulls and high school rodeo. He currently competes in the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Association and is hoping to make the national finals for the NHSRA this summer. “I didn’t compete in the OHSRA my freshman year because I was still pretty little, so I waited until my sophomore year to join. Bull riding has been my life; I’ve never done any other sports. I bought my IPRA card last May, and I was very excited to qualify for the IFR50 and earn the rookie title. It was an amazing experience.”
Lukasey has a practice arena at his house and owns 5 practice bulls that he rides at least 3 times each week. If he’s not riding, he may be scouring the internet for practice bulls to add to his herd. Just two weeks prior to the IFR, Lukasey deeply bruised his knee while practicing, and was nervous because he could barely even walk. He attempted to practice 3 days before IFR50 and hit his knee, causing severe pain and swelling again. Lukasey waited the next three days, staying off his leg completely, and hoping the short break would heal his knee enough to compete. Lukasey was grateful to cover his first bull out at the Lazy E Arena, winning 3rd in the round. Although he was bucked off his second bull, Lukasey finished the finals strong, winning his 3rd round with an 89-point ride on a Painted Ponies bull, #45 Cocktail Diarrhea, and also winning the final round with an 83 on 3 Bar J’s bull, Cool Whip. He walked away from the IFR50 with a title and an extra $10,555.55 in his pocket.
Lukasey credits his dad, Cody Custer, and his best friend, Wacey Schalla’s dad, Luke Schalla, for all the skills he has in riding bulls. “I ride bulls at the Schalla’s arena a lot and they have helped me so much with my riding over the years. Wacey is the best 14-year-old bull rider in the world right now, he is amazing. It’s really cool getting to practice together as much as we do.”
With high school graduation coming in 2021, Lukasey is already thinking about future plans, and hopes to attend school and college rodeo at Southwestern Oklahoma University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. “All I do is rodeo, and it’s all I want to do. I love being gone for several weeks at a time, riding bulls at a new place every day. It’s great all the people you get to meet and all the things you get to see.” He would like to get his pilot’s license so he can travel more easily as he reaches for his goals of earning an IPRA World title as well as competing at the NFR and PBR World Finals one day.”
“I may be the youngest bull rider at the rodeos, but I don’t see it as an advantage or disadvantage. We all just ride bulls and there’s no telling how it’s going to go until the ride’s over.”
Lukasey is thankful to his sponsors: Phoenix Vests, TH Cattle Company, Tail Knot Bull Flanks, Lane Frost Brand, and American Hat Company.
