Ready to ride in Corning

It may be considered one of the roughest, toughest sports to participate in, but that fact didn't stop a group of brave young men, and even a couple of young gals from competing in the Western Regional Bulls Riders Association (WRBRA) event which took place in Corning on Saturday and Sunday at Estil Clark Park rodeo arena.

The event was one of 15 competitions organized by WRBRA, which take place between March and September, with the finals taking place this year in Redding during the month of October.

For two days the action was non-stop as kids from all across the North State, ages 3 to 21 years-old rode sheep, calves, steers, and the big-bad-bulls - some trying to make the six second buzzer, some the eight second buzzer, and some just trying to stay on past the opening of the chute.

"These kids aren't competing against each other as much as they are competing against their animal," said Jim Durden, WRBRA president, who also acts as the organization's event announcer. "While this sport teaches our youth the necessary skills of riding, it teaches them a whole lot more."

Durden described his life of being a working cowboy and the lessons of life he learned along the way.

"More than just bull riding I'm trying to work with these kids and teach them character building skills, sportsmanship, and living life with a moral code," Durden said.

One of the event's local competitors is Colby Demo, of Gerber, who said he loves what he is doing riding steers, the values he is learning from Durden, his fellow competitors, and those who are helping him learn the riding skills needed to move up the ranks to riding bulls.

"This is a good program," said Demo, who is a straight A student in Los Molinos Elementary School. "I've learned a lot about myself and just what I can do."

Other riders feel the same. Zachary Swain, of Orland, who rides bulls, said he's thankful to be doing what he does and enjoys associating with the people he rides with.

"If you watch these boys you'll see them cheering each other on and helping each other get ready to ride," Durden said. "We aren't just trying to make good bull riders, but more importantly good men."

Behind the chutes there isn't a lot of foul language heard and the terms ma'am and sir are commonplace.

When the competition takes place on Sundays, Durden, who is also a preacher, gathers the riders for Cowboy Church right in the rodeo grand stands, and while he doesn't do a lot of bible teaching, he does teach the youth about right and wrong, having manners and treating themselves and others with respect and courtesy.

"There's more to life than riding bulls," says Durden. "Being a good person is what is most important."

Both Saturday and Sunday's events started with Mutton Busting. That is where the two girls came in, both geared up, just like all the other competitors, in blue jeans, a long sleeve button up shirt, cowboy hat, chaps, spurs, Kevlar vest, and helmet (a cowboy hat when not riding), ready to ride their sheep. One of the young gals even came in second place.

The other riders who were 9-years and younger rode calves; 12-years and under rode steers; 14-years and under rode pee wee bulls (not the size of the bull, just the experience), 16-year and under rode junior bulls; 17 to 21 rode senior novice bulls; and 18 and over rode senior bulls.

Demo, 12, came in second place both days, and as he has bucked off only one time this season has won a number of series belt buckles, as well as first place belt buckles.

Chris Demo, Colby's father, is his son's biggest fan and is right by his side every step of the way.

"This is a family affair," said Chris. "I am 100 percent supportive of Colby for as long as he wants to ride."

Another family affair, and one that has turned into one of the WRBRA highlights, is the story of a 15-year-old rider named Garrett Collins, from Calistoga, who has just started riding steers in competition. What is unique about Collins competing is fact he has Downs Syndrome.

His father, Rick Collins, said that Garrett's younger brother rides calves and his older brother rides saddle broncs.

"One day Garrett came to me and said he wanted to start riding steers. He kept at me until his mother and I decided to let him give it a try," said Rick.

Garrett is the first person who is developmentally disabled to ride in WRBRA, but Durden agreed to let him give it a try.

"The first time he rode, he bucked off before the eight seconds, but he didn't care," said Rick. "He thought he had won the world and he jumped up into the grand stands and started high-fivin' and hugging everyone."

Garrett rode on Saturday and Sunday both, and even though he didn't make the eight-second buzzer, again he didn't care. He jumped up from the dust and cheered just like his dad said he would - like he had won the world and everyone cheered right along with him.

"I am so proud of him," said Rick. "Watching my boys ride is the greatest thing I have ever seen. Garrett is a real inspiration to me."

Durden said bull riding wouldn't be the event it is without good stock. Stock contractors for the Corning event were Frank Yudnich, who provided the sheep; Derrick Shell who provided calves; Durden who provided steers; and Vina Bucking Bulls, G Bar G Bucking Bulls, and Pete Fracchia, who provided the bulls.

WRBRA, an non-profit organization, was established in 2006, and serves youth from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Arizona and Nevada.

The next WRBRA event will be the Donny Martin Memorial Bull Riding sponsored by Outlaw Rodeo Company at Penn Valley on July 20. 

Julie Johnson may be contacted at 824-5474 or jjohnson@tcnpress.com.