Young local bull rider on his way to finals

It's only his second season competing on the Western Regional Bull Riders Association (WRBRA) circuit and already Colby Demo, 12, of El Camino, has made a name for himself. The top winner in his division of competition, Colby is guaranteed a spot in the October 25 - 26, WRBRA Finals to be held in Redding.

"I have a couple more events to ride in, but no matter how I do I've cinched my division title," Demo said. "The only thing to stop me is if I get hurt."

Demo has competed in 20 events since April and has won five championships in that time. When he didn't win the number one spot he usually came in second or third.

For his winning efforts Demo was awarded five beautiful silver belt-buckles.

"My favorite is the one I won last week at the Red Bluff Jr. Rodeo, and next is my Mikel Moreno Memorial buckle," he said.

To this point Demo has been riding steers in competition, but in December when he turns 13, he will start riding bulls in the junior bulls division.

"I've already been practicing on bulls and its not that much different from steers, probably just more power," Demo stated. "But I'm getting better at it, way better."

A diehard bull riding fan, Demo bought an autographed jersey from his favorite professional bullfighter, Joe Baumgarten, for $500 during an benefit dinner and auction for his uncle, Dave Demo, last Saturday.

Demo's rodeo career actually started at the young age of 3 years old, when he was "mutton bustin'" at the Corning Jr. Rodeo.

The son of Chris and Crystal Demo, and grandson of Mike and Bonnie Demo, of Corning, Colby's steering riding began when he was out one day branding calves with a friend when the two started riding the young critters.

"He loved it," said Chris, "and seemed to be a real natural."

Supporting their son's talent, last October Colby's parents took him to a Pro Bull Riders school ran by Lyle Sankey in Oakdale.

"It was three days of hands-on experience," said Colby, a 4-H member and honor roll student. "It was pretty intense, but I learned a lot."

The three days over and coming out as the school's top student, Colby went home determined to become a top hand at bull riding.

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