story by Ruth Nicolaus
Following the 2021 Colorado Pro Rodeo Association Finals, bull rider Nate Hoey added three more items to his resume. He won the year-end title, the finals title, and had the high mark ride of the Finals.
Not only that, but he was the first bull rider in ten years to cover all three bulls at the finals.
Born and raised in Montrose, the CPRA member competed in local jackpots throughout high school, till he deemed himself good enough to join the CPRA.
After graduating from Olathe High School in 2017, he attended Lamar (Colo.) Community College for two years, finishing both years second in the region and qualifying for the College National Finals. His sophomore year, he finished fifth in the nation at the College Finals.
After earning a welding fabrication degree from Lamar, he transferred to Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas, where he also competed collegiately. There, he earned a degree in instrumentation and electrical technology.
When he graduated from Frank Phillips in the spring of 2021, Nate purchased his PBR card. He’s competed at the Touring Pros this year, at a Velocity Tour event, and even at a premier event in Sacramento, Calif.
Like most bull riders, Nate has had his share of injuries.
In high school, he suffered a ruptured spleen and kidney, which put him in the hospital for five days and out of competition for six months.
He’s also suffered a major concussion, which was a “fluke” accident, he said. The bull didn’t have good footing and fell over, pinning Nate to the ground. Nate had seizures in the arena and was taken to the hospital, where he spent several days. The neurologist didn’t give the all-clear sign for him to return to riding for a month.
For fun, he loves to be on the back of a horse in the summer and on the seat of a snowmobile in the winter. There are several mountain passes within an hour’s drive of his home in Montrose. He appreciates the scenery of the Rocky Mountains. “I love the views,” he said.
To get pumped up for his rides, Nate has a playlist of music that includes “Gladiator” and “Hustler” by Zayde Wolf, “Beast Unleashed” by Fearless Motivation, and “Be Cowboy” by Black Stone Cherry. He likes music that tells a story, music that a person can relate to, songs that “give me the feeling of the hair standing up on the back of my neck.”
He isn’t one to sit on the couch; he likes to be busy doing things. When he’s not rodeoing, he helps with his dad’s tow truck business.
His dad, Pryce Hoey, often travels with him to CPRA and PBR events and helps drive. His dad rode bulls in high school, as did Nate’s uncle, Daniel Moreland. Now both his dad and his uncle enjoy watching Nate in his bull riding career.
Nate, who is diligent about working out, has a routine designed for bull riders, strengthening the core and working on balance.
He’s qualified for two CPRA Finals (2019, 2021). His high mark ride of the 2021 Finals was on the Miller Rodeo Co. bull Slow Learner, where Nate made an 82.5 point ride.
