ProRodeo Sports News - July 10, 2020

COWBOY GRILLE WITH AMBER BAILLIE

How are you feeling about the season? Lane: I started off the year pretty good, everything has been going as planned besides the coronavirus. But rodeos are starting to pick back up and at least I can start rodeoing again. How did you keep busy during the quarantine? Lane: Our neighbor has an arena, he bucks (broncs) every once in a while, and we did that a couple of times. I also just tried to stay in shape and had a lot more time to work. Do you rodeo full time? Lane: These past few years I’ve been mostly full time and have some side jobs that help with pay in the summer. How did you get involved in saddle bronc riding? After winning the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Rookie Saddle Bronc in 2018 and PRCA Permit Members of the Year Challenge in 2019, saddle bronc rider Lane Schuelke was ready for the next level in ProRodeo. As of July 7, the 22-year- old from Newell, S.D., was No. 1 in the saddle bronc riding PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings with $15,253. His brother Taygen sat 18th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, while Lane was 25th. After winning the First Chance Bonanza in Brookings, S.D., this season, the up-and-coming cowboy is shooting to finish as rookie of the year.

LANE SCHUELKE

Lane: My dad and my brother ride broncs. That’s what pulled me in. My dad got me on the spur board when I was in middle school. I started riding saddle steers and then didn’t get on my first bronc until I was a freshman in high school. I started from there and have been getting on more and more each day. How do you prepare for a ride? Lane: When we’re traveling and get close to the rodeo, we like to get pumped up with music. When we arrive, we get stretched out and ready to go. I try not to think about it too much. What is something you want to improve on? Lane: There’s always something to improve on. You’re never going to have a perfect ride. I look at it like, if you feel like you’ve had your best ride yet, there’s always something you can critique and do a little better to make that next ride even better. What’s been your biggest challenge? Lane: My rein, that took me the longest to figure out, being able to lift on it. What made you want a career in ProRodeo? Lane: There’s no better feeling than being able to go and do something that you love and be able to make a career out of it. Who inspires you? Lane: My dad. He is happy to see my brother and me have success in the event. I want to do it for him because he got hurt and was never able to go as far as he wanted to. What do you hope to achieve by the end of the season? Lane: To win Rookie of the Year and make the Top 15. What’s the best rodeo advice you’ve received? Lane: To keep it simple, you’re just doing what you love. Your brain gets too full and you can overthink things. It’s a big mind game, that’s all it is. Mind over matter. What do you like to do outside of rodeo? Lane: I like to hang out with everybody, and I like to fish. I also like to go boating. What is your favorite TV show? Lane: Friends . What are a few things that you can’t live without? Lane: Steak and my cell phone. What’s your favorite thing to spend money on?

Lane: I like to spend money on my vehicle and traveling rig. I like to make it a little more enjoyable. It’s a 2007 Dodge RAM (truck) with a Capri (rodeo camper) on it. I bought it at the beginning of this year.

What is your favorite snack for the road? Lane: Sweet and spicy Doritos, they’re delicious. What’s the best way to start the day? Lane: Coffee.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/10/2020

ProRodeo.com

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