ProRodeo Sports News - January 26, 2018

DAYLON SWEARINGEN ABOUT DAYLON AGE: 18 years old, still on permit HOMETOWN: Piffard, N.Y./changed to Southeastern Circuit, Rochelle, Ga. CIRCUIT: First Frontier (2017), Southeastern (2018) EVENTS: Bareback riding, bull riding Daylon Swearingen waves to the crowd after winning all- around cowboy at the RFFCFR. Casey Martin photo

RECENT SUCCESS: Won all-around cowboy at RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo, finished first in circuit in bull riding to qualify for RNCFR

That determination showed Sam Swearingen he made the right decision in partnering with his son. “To be perfectly honest, I’ve had lots of workers over the years and I’ve never had anybody work harder or strive more for their goals than Daylon,” Sam said. “He’s focused on what he wants to do and where he wants to go. He’s an incredible young man. Everybody says that about their kids, but he works very hard at what he does.” Daylon is in no hurry to get his PRCA card. “I think I’m going to ride on my permit this year and then maybe next year I’ll buy my card,” Daylon said. “I’m just debating how everything is going. But I would like to make this a full-time thing.” Among the next rodeos he’s going to hit are the NEMississippi Championship Rodeo in Tupelo, Miss., and the Mason ProRodeo Classic in Lakeland, Fla. “I try to get into the bigger ones just to be around the better guys, so I can keep bettering myself,” Daylon said. “But it’s kind of hard to get into them on your permit.” Daylon’s preferred event is bull riding. But some, like his dad, would argue it’s not his best event. “He really likes the bull riding,” Sam Swearingen said. “The bareback riding, I think that’s his best event. But he enjoys the bull riding. The bareback riding is just another way to COMPETINGASA PRO

make money and he likes making money. He rides broncs outstanding, but he doesn’t like it as much.” Daylon is proud of his family’s rodeo history and loves contributing to it. “It’s a family thing,” Daylon said. “My dad was a bronc rider, my mom was a trick rider and barrel racer. My uncle and grandfather were both bareback riders. It’s been a family ordeal. I grew up at rodeos, since they (my parents) put on rodeos. “It’s just my way of life. I really enjoy being around bulls and cattle and the people you get to meet.”

From left: Daylon Swearingen stands with his brother, Colton; mom, Carrie; dad, Sam; sister, Molly; sister, Katie; and brother- in-law, Ron; for a family portrait. Photo courtesy Swearingen family

ProRodeo Sports News 1/26/18

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