Superior local takes the ride of a lifetime

SUPERIOR – Before Saturday, August 2, if someone had asked Kenny Stockard if he had ever ridden a bull in a rodeo in front of hundreds of screaming fans and under the lights of the arena, the answer would have been no.

After last Saturday’s rodeo at the Mineral County Fair, Stockard can now answer yes to that question. The nineteen-year-old Superior High School graduate competed in the bull-riding competition during the Mineral County Fair rodeo.

Stockard, who had no experience riding a bull even in practice, said it was something he had to cross off his bucket list.

“I don’t trust horses so I figured I’d try my chances with a bull,” Stockard said. “I’m definitely not a cowboy. I just wanted to ride a bull. I figured there’s no better place to do it than in front of a home crowd. I’m pretty excited.”

Stockard said the anticipation of the event was making him a little nervous but he had plenty of company behind the chutes to keep him centered. Stockard was joined by his informal coach and friend: Shadrick Rich. Rich, who has been competing in bull-riding events for five years, said he had some advice for his friend.

“I told him to look at the hump and not the head,” Rich said. “It’s just like any other sport. If you look at the wrong thing, you are going to get faked out. I also told him to hang on as tight as he could.”

Rich said, while people unfamiliar with rodeo events may wonder why they do it, for him it started with one reason but what kept him in the game has changed over the years.

“At first, I’ll admit, it was for the girls,” Rich said. “Then it was for the adrenaline and then just for the pure love of the sport. I’ve grown up around rodeo my whole life and I always wanted to be a part of it.”

Another visitor said he no longer had any control over what Stockard did with himself. Gary Tourtelotte, Stockard’s former assistant wrestling coach, said because Stockard graduated last year, he was a free man.

“He’s not in high school anymore so he can do whatever he wants,” Tourtelotte said jokingly. “He’s mentally tough. He doesn’t quit. That should be a plus for him.”

One person with Stockard behind the chutes who could have had more to say about Stockard doing what the announcer called “the most dangerous thing a person can do in the rodeo arena,” was his father Keith Stockard. He, however, said stifling his son’s dreams and aspirations wasn’t part of his parenting philosophy.

“I’m pretty excited about it actually,” Keith said. “You always have concerns as a parent but at the same time I’ve always encouraged him to follow his heart and live every adventure he can.”

Keith said while he understood why some parents would discourage their kids from doing something as dangerous as ride a bull, it was his opinion that letting his son discover what he wanted to do on his own was the best way to challenge him.

“People die every day in bed of old age without a story to tell,” Keith said. “This is just another step toward manhood. It’s just another adventure for him.”

As he donned his protective gear and prepared for the ride of his life, Stockard shared a few more thoughts and made a prediction.

“I told myself this was going to be a one time thing,” Stockard said. “I’m expecting one heck of an adrenaline rush. But I think I might get addicted.”

He was right. His ride only lasted four seconds before his bull, named “Doctor’s Orders,” sent him flying through the air and crashing to the arena floor. Picking himself up unscathed and covered in dirt, Stockard made his way back behind the chutes.

Stockard dusted himself off and removed his helmet to reveal a smile from ear to ear. As his father recorded the entire experience with a video camera, Stockard admitted his prediction was accurate.

“I know I said I was only going to do it once but it looks like I’m going to do it again next year,” Stockard said.

After checking to make sure the GoPro camera attached to his helmet survived the ride and accepting the congratulations of the rodeo princesses, Stockard had a chance to reflect upon the experience.

“I’m still feeling the adrenaline,” Stockard said. “I’m shaking pretty bad. I was told by one of the other cowboys with way more experience than me that I did pretty good. They told me I did some things right out there and that’s the most you should expect from your first ride.”

As friend after friend made their way behind the chutes to congratulate Stockard, the young man from Superior who was only there to knock one more thing off his bucket list, seemed poised for the next adventure. If the day’s activity was any indicator, there won’t be any shortages of those in his future.