ProRodeo Sports News - August 23, 2019

BY MATT NABER T he saying “you have to spend money to make money” holds true in ProRodeo. Rodeo can be an expensive sport that requires an initial investment for possible future success, and unlike most sports, opportunities to learn the ropes are limited. But anything is possible with enough talent and grit. That is where the nonprofit organization Growing Rodeo by InspiringThoughtfulness Teamwork and Youth (GRITTY) has stepped up to the plate. Founded by Texas rodeo momHolly Riley, GRITTY helps aspiring rodeo athletes get started. “They say, ‘It takes a village …’ and it truly takes a village in rodeo,” Riley said. “Sometimes their parents don’t have the ability to do it. These kids are working, but just need a little bit of a push or just need one thing. They’re working and working and spending time in the arena and putting in the hours but couldn’t afford the $150 saddle pad.” Numbers don’t lie. The cost of equipment has gone up while the number of participants has gone down. “A lot of it is society and kids not growing up on ranches and growing up in the sport and learning at a young age,” said Bret Franks, a GRITTY affiliate and three-time qualifier in saddle bronc riding to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (1997-98 and to young cowboys True Grit Nonprofit group makes rodeo more accessible GIVING BACK

Photo courtesy of Holly Riley Heath Ford (right), a two-time qualifier for the Wrangler NFR in bareback riding, gives Justin Gale some pointers during the GRITTY program in Cody, Wyo., in July.

2000). “There’s still interest, but it’s hard to find places to buck horses and bulls and learn, a place to get on, and someone to help them. Training is crucial to keeping numbers up. We have to train kids in the right manner where they will be safe and not get hurt as much and get confidence quicker so they can compete.” GRITTY started about a year-and-a-half ago and now has ambassadors in almost all 50 states who operate on a local level and coordinate with Riley. “We take in tack and distribute it to kids in need – middle class and kids with single parents, kids with parents on drugs, kids raised by other

people, etc.,” Riley said. “We also pay entry fees for some kids. When we had 14 kids qualify for the Junior NFR but (they) couldn’t afford to go, we did a fundraiser for their travel.” Monetary and rodeo equipment donations can be made at www. grittyprogram.com. Those who make large monetary donations will receive a letter detailing where the money went and a little bit about the kid’s story without revealing their identity. “There are a lot of underprivileged kids who would be great at rodeo but don’t have a chance otherwise,” Franks said. “It all takes money, and someone has to give for it to work.”

ProRodeo Sports News 8/23/2019

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