Every time Heath Ford climbs on a bucking bronco, he must wear a watch and chew big league bubble gum.
Ford, a bareback bronc rider from Greeley, is one of 860 competitors at the rodeo being held during the National Western Stock Show, which runs through Jan. 22.
Like many rodeo cowboys, Ford recites a prayer before each ride. Last year, after sitting out for several months because of a dislocated hip, he almost made the national finals. He ranked 17th, but only the top 15 cowboys go to competition.
“I can’t sit at home and not want to get on a bucking horse; it’s the same as a football player or a baseball player,” he said in the chutes of the Denver Coliseum before a rodeo performance Saturday. “I haven’t met the goals I made when I was 10, to make the national finals and contend for the world championship.”
Cowboys must stay on the bucking horse or bull for eight seconds and are scored on style and difficulty.
Five-time saddle bronc world champion Billy Etbauer, 43, is one of the crowd’s favorites with his fluid style and clear love of riding the bucking broncs. He’s got the five gold belt buckles to prove it. He wears the first one he won in 1992 almost all the time. He makes his living riding at rodeos, having made from $60,000 to $230,000 annually.
Skinny and wiry, Etbauer is known for the way he keeps his body in tune with the animal.
“You say your prayers day in and day out before getting on,” he said. “You keep your back straight, are stretched out and try to keep flexibility.”
Cameron Ebert, 19, of Harrison, Ark., is familiar with those sharp points. He was bull riding Friday when the animal’s horn gouged his cheek. He wasn’t seriously injured, but the injury did require medical attention.
On Saturday, Ebert ignored the pain from the bruises and cuts to his face, and competed again in the bull-riding event.
It’s what committed riders do, get up and get back on, said bull rider Chad Eubank, of Cleburne, Texas, whose heart was once bruised when a bull stepped on his chest. The 27-year-old started his career at age 6 riding calves and has ranked No. 1 in each level of competition except professional.
“I want to win nationals,” he said. “I want to do this as long as I can.”
Staff writer Annette Espinoza contributed to this report.
Staff writer Elizabeth Aguilera can be reached at 303-820-1372 or at eaguilera@denverpost.com.
