ProRodeo Sports News - Jan. 7, 2022

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Kody: I didn’t grow up rodeoing or anything. I actually traded a saddle with a guy and that got me a chance to get on a bull for the first time. From that point on I fell in love with the sport of rodeo. I didn’t start riding broncs until I was 20 years old. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Kody: I finished college and I think that’s really when I decided to try and take rodeo seriously. I went to Cody, Wyo., the summer after school and started getting on horses consistently. That’s when I decided I wanted to try to make a living doing it. Why did you decide saddle bronc riding would be your event? Kody: I didn’t pick saddle bronc riding. I think it picked me. I tried bull riding, then I tried bareback riding, and then I tried bronc riding. I was doing all three at one time, but I was so much better at the bronc riding. So, I ended up giving up the other two and focused on the bronc riding. Who’s someone you look up to in the sport of rodeo? Kody: I don’t know if there’s one guy in particular who I look up to, there’s a ton of guys I could mention. There are the greats in the sport like Dan Mortensen and Billy Etbauer that you watch and want to try to mimic as a saddle bronc rider. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over? Kody: Well, I’d like to win the NFR for sure, I think that’s pretty much the goal for everyone. I’d also like to win the Dixie National Rodeo down here in Jackson, Miss., because it’s close to home for me. Why did you decide to buy your PRCA card at this point in your career? Kody: To be honest with you I wasn’t ever good enough to get it until now. In this sport you have to take it one level at a time and with me starting later it kind of put me behind some other guys. Everyone has their own goals and timeframe of doing it and I finally felt like I was ready to go compete. What’s your favorite restaurant? Kody: I’d have to say when it comes to a chain restaurant, it’s probably Cracker Barrel. I’m a big fan of their breakfast, their pancakes are so good. Do you have a favorite candy? Kody: I’m not a real big candy eater, but if I do it’s probably going to be something chocolate. What’s your go to movie? Kody: I don’t necessarily have a favorite movie, but I do like comedies the best. I watch just about anything with Jim Carrey or Adam Sandler in it. Do you have a favorite sports team? Kody: I follow the Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Cardinals, and all the Mississippi State (University) sports. I’m a huge sports fan to be honest with you. What was the make of your first car? Kody Rinehart got a late start to his ProRodeo career, but the Rienzi, Miss., saddle bronc rider is showing it’s better late than never. At 29, he currently leads the Resistol rookie saddle bronc standings with $8,234. His bump in the standings comes after he won a round and finished second in the average at the Southeastern Circuit Finals in Davie, Fla., Nov. 13.

KODY RINEHART

Kody: My first vehicle was a 1992 Chrysler. It was as old as I am. It was white with a burgundy interior, it wasn’t the prettiest car in the world. What’s your favorite TV show or series? Kody: “The Chosen” is definitely my favorite TV show. It’s a show that goes through the life of Jesus Christ, it’s an amazing series. What’s your favorite holiday?

Kody: Christmas would have to be my favorite holiday. You get to see all your family and all their kids. That’s about the only time I actually get to go home to see everybody. What type of music do you like listening to? Kody: 90 percent of the time I’m listening to Christian worship music. After that it’s red dirt country and rock and roll.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/7/2022

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