Before They Become Bull Riders, Wyoming Rodeo Kids Learn On Steers

A Sheridan rodeo club offers kids opportunities to learn the Western sport of steer riding. Its mission is to teach kids proper techniques of steer riding while recruiting more young rodeo riders into the sport.

At 13 years old, Kody Scrongham is a veteran, first riding a steer when he was 8 years old. 

He has plans to make it big in the sport of bull riding by making it with the Professional Bull Riders tour and “hopefully racking up a few world titles along the way,” Scrongham told Cowboy State Daily.

Scrongham has been a part of multiple youth steer riding groups, but he found his place with Best Of The Rest Steer Riders (BRSR), a Wyoming group with a mission to teach kids the ins and outs of roughstock riding.

“Best of the Rest has great bucking stock, " said Scrongham. 

Rodeo has an important place in shaping Wyoming culture and with youth opportunities such as BRSR, the rugged sport will continue to influence Cowboy State culture.

Kacy Townsley, president of Sheridan-based BRSR, said he and his team seek to teach kids the proper techniques of the sport. When Townsley was young, there weren't many opportunities to practice, and he wants to change that.

The number of young riders in his organization ranges between seven and 15. Townsley said he would like to see that number grow closer to 20.

Practices are held at Sheridan College Agri Park, where the kids can ride as many steers as they want to. Each month, BRSR sets up a “jackpot” which gives riders a chance to show their skills and compete for prizes. Winners get 100% payback for entry fees and other prizes. 

Competition Breeds Excellence

Kody Scrongham said competition is what makes the sport fun and pushes him to get better. 

“I used to just hold on and hope for the best,” he said. 

Now that his main focus has shifted to steer riding, his techniques have improved. He started to move with the bull. It became less of a fight and more like a dance, Scrongham said. 

His desire to ride started at a young age. He had inspiration from his father who used to ride bulls before he was born.

Though Scrongham has tried team roping, calf tying and even break-away roping, nothing stuck quite like steer riding. He admits that at times, he’s been so nervous before steer riding events that he threw up.

It’s a feeling many riders can relate to.  

“Having faith in God helped me a lot,” said Scrongham. 

It’s A Way Of Life

Townsley has been a part of bull riding his entire life. 

That experience has helped ease the minds of the parents whose kids he now coaches, said Townsley. 

He said his team’s unique knowledge about the sport makes them equipped to “bridge the gap” between kids who’ve never ridden before to kids competing in high school level junior rodeos. 

Though there are many Western rodeo communities in Wyoming, BRSR gives kids who may not come from a ranch a chance to get involved in rodeo. 

“We don’t ever want to see it die out,” said Townsley.

The organization also puts on bull riding schools, typically in the fall. The schools are more centered around beginners; kids ages 8-14. 

Townsley is planning on another similar opportunity sometime in spring. Last year there was no charge to enter the school, and that helped introduce new kids to the program. Recruiting has been one of BRSR’s biggest challenges. 

BRSR has been able to make events more affordable with the help of sponsors such as, C&K Equipment, King's Saddlery, The Sheridan Wyo Rodeo Board, First Federal Bank and RTR Automotive. 

“They are truly in it for the kids,” said Royle Scrongham, Kody’s father. 

He made a living riding bulls for 11 years, and he’s excited to see his son pursuing something he enjoyed, he said. Knowing firsthand the dangers that can arise, Royle said he gets nervous from time to time watching Kody ride, but not scared. 

That’s because he is really picky about the caliber of stock his son rides. People pushing their kids to the next level too quickly tends to invite danger, said Royle. 

‘On Top Of The World’

With BRSR being 7 years old, the team has expanded its reach over the years. The club started small with only local kids joining, and it now has kids from all over the state. 

The leaders would love to get bulls and have events for high schoolers, but that's a whole different ball game, said Townsley. The club already owns 20 steers. They’ll stick with those for now. 

“It’s a better way to teach the kids,” said Townsley. 

Royle said the rodeo group’s sole purpose is to make the kids better.

Townsley and other club members have learned a lot from each other and the kids. Keeping an open mind and being able to be more receptive to the kids is something they value, said Townsley.

His favorite part is watching students progress from their first rides to getting on a bull in high school rodeo.

Kody Scrongham said his confidence is way up since he started riding.

“The real adrenaline rush is when you ride one for eight seconds and get off,” he said. “You feel like you’re on top of the world.”