ProRodeo Sports News - July 22, 2022

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Dawson: It’s a family tradition I guess you could say. I’m a fourth-generation bull rider. My great grandad, my grandad, and my uncle all rode bulls. Now, here I am riding bulls out here trying to make a name for myself in the sport. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Dawson: To make it in the sport of rodeo or at least try has been a goal of mine since I was a little kid. This year has really been an eye opener for me to know I can be successful in the sport of rodeo and really make a career out of it and a living doing it. Why did you decide bull riding would be your event? Dawson: It’s in your blood. Once you do it once it’s kind of hard to get away from it. When you love the sport as much as I do and grow up around it your entire life it’s hard to go with anything else honestly. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Dawson Gleaves, 20, is a rookie in ProRodeo, but his work inside the arena recently has made him look like a seasoned vet. In a four-day stretch from July 12-16, the Amarillo, Texas, bull rider has added $15,142 to his name, which included winning the Ute Stampede in Nephi, Utah. Gleaves’ recent hot streak has bumped him up 33rd in the latest PRCA | RAM World Standings and third in the running for the Resistol Rookie of the Year.

DAWSON GLEAVES

Dawson: In junior high I rode saddle bronc, and I roped calves growing up some. Really, it’s just mainly been riding bulls. That’s what I loved and nothing else ever amounted to it. So, there was no point in doing anything else. What’s this season been like for you? Dawson: The start was pretty slow actually. I won a couple here and there but nothing too big. Once we started the summer run it kind of picked up and I’ve been winning a bunch here lately. It’s picking up and I’m starting to get closer to where I want to be. Why did you decide to buy your PRCA card this season?

Dawson: I talked to Brett Franks, who was my rodeo coach at Clarendon (Texas) College and asked him, ‘am I ready to go?’ They told me you only get so many years in this sport, so you might as well do it and make the most of it. So, I decided what better time than now. What’s one rodeo you want to win in your career? Dawson: Pendleton (Ore.) is at the top of the list for me. It’s the rodeo that everyone is at and having a ton of fun. So, I’d love to be able to win that rodeo someday. What’s your go-to restaurant when you’re out on the road? Dawson: I don’t know if I have a go-to restaurant on the road, but Mexican food is

definitely my favorite that’s for sure. Do you have a favorite candy? Dawson: Right now, it has got to be Hi-Chew. They are my favorite right now, that’s what I’m going with the most. What’s your go to movie? Dawson: There’s no doubt about it, Top Gun is my favorite movie. I like the original, but the new movie that came out wasn’t too bad either. What was the make of your first car? Dawson: It was a 1994 Ford F-250, I drove that thing everywhere when I first started rodeoing. When you’re not rodeoing what do you enjoy doing for fun? Dawson: When I get downtime I like to hang out with friends and my girlfriend. I also do a bunch of leatherwork on the side as well. I like to make belts and stuff like that. What’s your favorite holiday? Dawson: Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday, it’s the day our savior was born. It doesn’t get any better than that. What type of music do you like listening to? Dawson: I like to listen to a little bit of everything really. Zach Bryan is probably my favorite artist right now and I like old-school country. I also listen to a lot of 90s rap music as well.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/22/2022

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