ProRodeo Sports News - Feb. 17, 2023

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Jestyn: My grandpa and my dad both rode bulls. My start in the sport of rodeo really came from my dad. He let me start getting on when I was nine years old. He was pretty much the only teacher I had up until I was a junior in high school. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Jestyn: I think right about the time I started getting on was when I realized it was something I could do. I told myself from a young age if I was going to do it, that I was going to make a career out of it. I’ve held myself to that standard from the moment I started. Why did you decide bull riding would be your event? Jestyn: My dad and grandpa rode bulls, so it was something I grew up around. When I was little all we would watch were ProRodeos or we would go watch amateur rodeos. That’s all I remember doing when I was little. I was always surrounded by it, and it just came naturally. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Jestyn Woodward, 19, knew from a young age he wanted to ride bulls professionally. The Custer, S.D., cowboy, has accomplished that dream and is beginning to make his name known in the PRCA ranks. As of Feb. 14, Woodward not only leads the Resistol Rookie of the Year race in bull riding but is 13th in the latest PRCA | RAM World Standings. He pocketed $8,216 earlier this season after finishing second at the Bulls in the Ballpark event in Round Rock, Texas.

JESTYN WOODWARD

Jestyn: When I was younger I basically did every event. I team roped, breakaway roped, and pretty much everything you could do when you were competing in junior events. It was in eighth grade when I switched to just riding bulls. What’s this season been like for you? Jestyn: It has been a pretty good rookie season so far. There’s been some ups and downs like you would expect, but overall, it’s been a pretty successful beginning of the year. Why did you decide to buy your PRCA card this season? Jestyn: I got my permit last year and I won quite a bit of money on it. I really debated on whether to get my permit again or my card. My best friend Wacey Schalla pushed me to go get my card because he said if I was going to do it why wait. What’s one rodeo you want to win in your career? Jestyn: I would really like to win the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Rodeo. It is one of the biggest ones in the summer. Everyone knows that rodeo whether they follow the sport or not. Whose someone you look up to in the sport of rodeo?

Jestyn: I’d say I look up to my dad and my grandpa the most. I look up to my dad because he’s taught me basically everything I know. My grandpa was super tough when he rode, it didn’t matter how hurt he was, he always gave it 110 percent. That’s what I want to be known for. What’s your go to restaurant when you’re out on the road? Jestyn: If I’m going to go sit down at a restaurant, I try to go an Applebee’s or Texas Roadhouse. You can’t go wrong with either of those. What’s your go to movie?

Jestyn: It would probably have to be Top Gun: Maverick . I think I went and watched it like three different times when it came out. What was the make of your first car? Jestyn: I think the first vehicle that I drove was a 1999 Ford Escort. When you’re not rodeoing what do you enjoy doing for fun? Jestyn: When I have a lot of downtime, I like working on my family ranch in South Dakota. We have a small cattle operation, and we breed horses every year. What’s your favorite holiday? Jestyn: I would have to say Christmas probably because it brings all your friends and family together. What type of music do you like listening to? Jestyn: I listen to just about everything out there. Sometimes I’ll be listening to rap and then somedays I’ll listen to country all day. It all depends on what I’m feeling that day.

ProRodeo Sports News 2/17/2023

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