Jason was knocked down to sixth place with one of the last rides of the night.  We were sad for him, but he was such a good sport.  It made me think of the saying, “You lose some, you win some.”

My cowboy hat is completely covered with the autographs of many bronc riders and steer wrestlers.  Each one was so nice, but my favorite cowboys are Ryan and Jason.

On Saturday, my mom ordered the rodeo finals on pay-per-view.  It is so exciting to watch an event when you know people competing.  Ryan was the first bareback rider to participate.  He scored an 84.5.  We were cheering because we knew that was a good score.  He placed third and moved to the Super Series.

The winner of the Super Series receives a $50,000 bonus.  Of course, we wanted Ryan to win this money.  He was up against the best of the best that day.

Ryan rode second.  His ride was so good!  His horse did a great job bucking and moving.  Ryan rode in time keeping the rhythm of the horse.  It was a beautiful sight!  We knew that he did a fantastic job, and we hoped that the judges would score him accordingly.  He made 90.5!!!

We were yelling and cheering because we knew his score would be tough to beat.  We watched the other two riders ride well and waited expectantly for their scores.  In the end, Ryan was the winner!

Below you can watch their video blog “The Pride of the PRCA.”  You can also view the Houston Finals of 2010.  Unfortunately it is just an overview of the rodeo.  You can only watch part of Ryan’s ride.

Immediately he was interviewed on the arena floor.  I was really impressed because he praised God.  He came across being very humble.  I also found out some information about Ryan and Jason.

Ryan is a member of Forever Cowboys.  They try to spread the Gospel wherever they go.  Jason and Ryan have a video blog called “The Pride of the PRCA.”  The shoot video footage of them traveling, behind the scenes of the rodeo, and interviews with other cowboys.  It was fun to watch.

Ryan also has his own website.  To visit it, click here.  If you are interested in rodeo or in either one of these two bareback riders watch their video blog.  I enjoyed seeing what life is like for a rodeo cowboy.

Congratulations, Ryan, on your victory in Houston!  Thank you both for such a memorable evening at the rodeo.  Jason, good luck next time.  I hope that this year you will both do your best and stay safe and healthy.

Ryan Gray, Jake DeHaven, and Jason Havens

Sunday afternoon was an exciting time for me after church.  My PawPaw and Grandma had met some bareback riders at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo earlier that week.  My PawPaw used to ride bareback before my mom was born.  Anyway, my grandparents invited these two cowboys to our ranch for a day of fishing.

I did not know if they were going to take up the invitation.  I really wanted to meet them myself.  When I got home from church later that afternoon, two men were fishing on my PawPaw’s lake.  I could not wait to go meet them.

Ryan Gray is from Cody, Wyoming.  He is doing very well at the Houston Rodeo.  Jason Havens is also doing very well.  Jason is from Oregon.  Both of them were very nice.  They agreed to take a photograph with me.  They also signed my straw cowboy hat.

Now I have three signatures on my hat that are special to me.  Clinton Anderson,  a famous horseman, along with Ryan and Jason’s signatures decorate the back brim of my hat.  Even when I grow out of my hat, I am going to keep it forever.

Both Ryan and Jason are going to ride in the semi-finals tonight in Houston.  They are going to try their best to make it to the finals on Saturday.  I am very excited for both of them.  I am even more excited because they got my family tickets to see them ride tonight.  So, not only are Ryan and Jason great cowboys, but they are also generous.

I will be cheering with all of my heart for my two new cowboy friends.  Good luck to both Ryan and Jason!  I hope that you both have the ride of your life tonight!