PRORODEO Sports News - March 27, 2026 Digital Edition

BULL RIDER LUKE MACKEY DRIVEN BY GRANDPARENTS, REPRESENTING COLORADO By Zach Alvira Luke Mackey has taken the PRORODEO world by storm. The 19-year-old bull rider established himself as one of the top cowboys in the PRCA during his Resistol Rookie season in 2025, as he was part of a four-man race for the Resistol Rookie of the Year honor that wasn’t decided until after the National Finals Rodeo. M ackey finished second in the rookie race behind Bryce Jen rather than moving with his mother. He and his mom still have a good

sen and seventh in the final 2025 PRCA | Bill Fick Ford Bull Riding World Standings. But most importantly, he made a name for himself and represented his grandparents, Laurena and Jerry Mackey, on PRORODEO’s biggest stage. “I’ve just been wanting to do it since I was a little kid,” Mackey said. “My grandma and grandpa, they helped me get to where I’m at. It’s been a blast to do all this at such a young age and make my dreams come true.” Mackey’s relationship with his grandparents goes well beyond the “norm.” He grew up on his grandparents’ ranch in Ignacio, Colo., a small town near the Four Corners region of the state. He learned how to ride from his grandfather and helped out on the ranch. When given the option, he chose to remain there with his grandparents

relationship, but his grandfather acts as his father-figure. Mackey said he has never met his biological father, but his grandfather stepped up to the plate and taught him everything he knows, both in rodeo and life. “I would help my grandpa train colts and stuff like that,” Mackey said. “So I just grew up around hors es. But I always liked bull riding.” Mackey looks up to his grandpar ents. That’s why representing them is something he holds close to his heart. Ignacio has also become a motiva tor for the 19-year-old cowboy. During his run to Las Vegas last year, the townspeople would rou tinely wish him luck on the PRORO DEO road. They even made big signs for him. His love for representing Ignacio and Colorado earned him the nick name, “Colorado Kid,” at rodeos. When he was younger, he would

30 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE MARCH 27, 2026