PRORODEO Sports News - July 26, 2024

Ryan Jae photos Lefty Holman had an 86.5-point ride on Three Hills Rodeo’s Bobby Shows during the NFR Open on July 12 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The ride qualified Holman for the championship round. Lefty Holman defines success differently

BY ALEX DODD O ver the last four years, Lefty Holman has established himself as one of the most consistent saddle bronc riders in PRORODEO. The Visalia, Calif., cowboy has qualified for three out of the last four Wrangler National Finals Rodeos and is set up to make his third-straight trek to Las Vegas in December. He finished sixth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings last season and in 2020 and second in 2022. Holman boasts a slew of wins and hopes to add a world championship to his resume this year, but he doesn’t define success by counting buckles. “It’s not really about the wins or successes,” Holman told the ProRodeo Sports News at the NFR Open. “It’s more about sharing small victories with people on your team, people who truly care about you and truly love you. That’s what it’s all about for me.” The 25-year-old sat third in the standings with $159,659 as of July 26 and believes this year’s saddle bronc top 20 is as deep as any in recent memory, with a slew of riders possessing the potential to win a gold buckle. Holman certainly wants to insert his name into that conversation, but he has another date circled on his calendar that is bigger than the start of the NFR. She is due Aug. 28. “My wife (Hailey) is pregnant with a beautiful baby girl, and we’re so excited,” he said with a smile. “Life is amazing, and we’re super grateful that God gave us this great life.” Holman hails from rodeo royalty and is thrilled to add another branch to the family tree. He’s the nephew of ProRodeo Hall of Famer Joe Marvel, Bradley Harter and Joey Sonnier III. He’s also kin to Dawson and Logan Hay by marriage.

He credited his family for helping set him up to compete with the world’s best. “Mentors are everything in life,” Holman said. “My grandpa (John Holman), my uncle (Joey Sonnier III) and guys like Bradley Harter are guys who mentored me along the way. I wouldn’t be here without them, and I wouldn’t have as much of a purpose to do what I do without those people.” Tragically, one of his biggest career influences, his grandfather John “Witch” Holman, passed away on May 29 at 76 years old. John Holman was a three-time NFR qualifier in saddle bronc from 1970 72 and one of the best-liked cowboys on the road. He finished as high as 11th in the Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings, the precursor to the PRCA, in 1970 and was 12th in 1971 and 1972. The passing of one of his heroes gave Lefty Holman a renewed perspective on rodeo, family and life. “It was tough for sure, but it reminded me of the way I want to live my life,” Lefty Holman said of his grandfather’s passing. “He was a great bronc rider, a great competitor, but he was a great friend and a great human. “He was remembered for the light-heartedness and the fun he had outside the arena, and that’s how I want to live my life.” John Holman served as a mentor and close friend to his grandson as he navigated the grind of the PRORODEO lifestyle. Now, every time Lefty Holman prepares to ride a bucking horse, he thinks of his grandpa. “He was my idol. I looked up to him. I still look up to him every single day,” Lefty said. “I always say, ‘Live like Witch’ before I get on. I always say, ‘Ride like Witch.’ I’m super grateful for him.”

ProRodeo Sports News 7/26/2024

ProRodeo.com

77