Time to Saddle Up!
By: Jack Denney
Jack Davis, a name you might not be familiar with, but someone who might be one of the most interesting people at our school. Davis has recently begun his short but already successful career in the sport of Bull Riding. Davis, a 17-year-old Junior, has his own farm where he raises cattle, and frequently works every weekend. Davis stumbled upon this sport one day when he was out on the farm with his father.
“I was out on the farm with my dad when we decided to just rope one,” said Davis, “and I just hopped on.”
Davis was almost immediately bucked off, but the seed had already been planted once he had sat down. Davis popped right back up, and he and his father started discussing how he could improve, and what schools he could attend for him to learn the basics. Davis attended a school in Henryetta for a weekend and also hosts practices on Sundays where you can hop on a bull as many times you want for only twenty bucks.
Davis on his bull
Davis’s first rodeo was at ABRF (Amateur Bull Riding Federation) in Durant, Oklahoma where he bucked off at an impressive six seconds for his first time. As time went on, and Davis kept practicing, he amassed a personal record of 86, where the world record for professional riding is 97 out of 100, with 50 points coming from the bull, and 50 points coming from the rider.
However, Bull Riding presents many facets of difficulty, the actual bull riding itself, but what may be even scarier is what happens before you get on the fierce animal.
Davis at the rodeo
“When they’re acting up in the chutes, you can’t even get on ‘em…” said Davis, “you want to climb out but you just can’t.”
Although the chute presents danger, after you get bucked off might be even more dangerous once the bull starts kicking and jumping. Davis speaks on the time he got stomped in the back:
“I’m just thinking, am I gonna die from internal bleeding?” said Davis, “It felt like I was being crunched.”
Davis takes his Bull Riding very seriously, and has even taken steps to increase his durability through jiu jitsu at Christian Jiu Jitsu and Karate Academy where he has learned to master his balance and the use of his hips.
However, even though his dad is on board, his mother and sister vary. Davis’s sister, Ellie Davis, a sophomore at Jenks, speaks on it:
“I think it’s pretty cool that he bull rides cause I know he likes it,” said Davis, “but it’s kind of scary sometimes when he shows me videos of him getting stomped on and stuff like that.”
However, Davis’s love for Bull Riding doesn’t stem from the glory he receives, but instead what it teaches him.
“It teaches me a whole lot, like how to be courageous…” said Davis “Every part of you doesn’t want to do it but you just do it anyway.”
Davis is sure to continue his success, and his next rodeo is in Natural Dam, Arkansas on Feb. 18. If you see him in the halls, make sure to say hi!