ProRodeo Sports News - August 4, 2023

DAYS OF ’76 RODEO

DEADWOOD, S.D.

Daredevil Bull rider Grayson Cole finds his niche in rodeo

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News G rayson Cole answered to the nickname “Crash” growing up. “I wasn’t good at anything, but I was willing to try anything,” Cole joked. The daredevil DNA never left as he found his calling in rodeo. It began at 3 with mutton busting, graduated to calves and now he finds himself among the best bull riders in the world. The Fredonia, Pa., native is pushing to qualify for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and his recent performance at the Deadwood (S.D.) Days of ’76 explained how he’s shoved himself into contention. Cole, 23, delivered the best performance of his career, with a 92.5-point ride on Sutton Rodeo’s Razor for the victory. Everything about the ride felt right, from the stock, the environment, to the crowd. “I have been riding good lately. And having my traveling partner with me helped. It’s just about being confident in myself,” Cole said. “I had a couple of videos of the bull, but he really didn’t do what I saw in the video. It was definitely a dance at first, then we took the fight to him.” Cole knows there is not a deep history of East Coast cowboys from Pennsylvania reaching the sport’s biggest stage. But he uses this as motivation, as a reason to keep traveling the country searching for dollars and an adrenaline rush. Having a support group has played a pivotal role in his young career. “One bull can change everything when you are out here on the road. You get a good bull like I had, and you take the fight to them, it changes your whole

demeanor,” Cole said. “It shows you are capable of anything. And having God on your side and praying to make it, that faith and family it keeps you going throughout the year as you try to become a guy. It’s hard when you have weeks where you get bucked off 10 times and you feel like you should have ridden five of them. That’s when I fall back on my faith and family.” Cole did not come from a rodeo family. He went to rodeos as a kid and fell in love with the sport. His brother and sister caught the bug and competed some. His sister did barrel racing, but Cole sought danger. It was always his nature. Now, his thrill seeking is paying off. He finished 40th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings in 2022 and he keeps moving up the standings this season. Simply put, Crash is hoping to crash the sport’s biggest party in Las Vegas. “Last year, I thought I had a pretty good go at it, then it didn’t work out. And when I came home, I promised myself that I was going to drain every dollar if I had to get to the NFR,” Cole said. “My schedule is going to be busy and full the rest of the year. I love it. When you get on that bull, it’s pretty much like medieval times. It’s a fight. You are stepping out there against the beast and you have to tame it.” Other winners at the Playoff Series Rodeo were bareback riders Sam Petersen and Jess Pope (86.5 points each); steer wrestler Dirk Tavenner (7.8 seconds on two head); team ropers Brye Crites/Rance Doyal (9.4 seconds on two head); saddle bronc riders Jake Finlay and Damian Brennan (87.5 points each); tie-down roper Grant Turek (17.8 seconds on two head); and barrel racer Ashley Castleberry (17.51 seconds).

Flag girls take part in the opening ceremony for a moment of prayer at the Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo. The rodeo was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colo rado Springs, Colo., in 2011. Kristen Schurr photo

Kristen Schurr photo Grayson Cole helped his cause to make his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2023, by winning the Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo with a 92.5-point ride on Sutton Rodeo’s Razor.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/4/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 8/4/2023

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