ProRodeo Sports News July 9, 2021

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Jacob: My entire family grew up ranching, so I was already into it a little bit growing up as a kid. Then we had this old ranch pickup that had a Chris LeDoux tape in it, and that made me want to ride horses and rodeo for the most part. All of that has led to where I’m at now in the PRCA. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Jacob: I’ve wanted to do it for a long time, but until recently I’ve always had a full-time job as well. It was difficult to get to all the rodeos I wanted to because I would have to take time off from work. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I decided I’m not going to try to keep a job and rodeo at the same time. I’m just going to go ahead and try to give rodeo a shot full time. Why did you decide bareback riding would be your event? Jacob: I fell in love with the fight that comes with bareback riding, even a good bareback ride is always tough on you. I think that’s what draws guys into the sport, it sure did with me. It’s a fist fight every time you step foot on that horse. Also, I think listening to that Chris LeDoux tape every day helped, you’d be hard pressed to find a bareback rider that’s not into his music, I can tell you that. What’s this season been like for you? Jacob: It’s been good for me, there’s been some setbacks Jacob Lees has been a PRCA member since 2019. Now in his third season of ProRodeo, he’s starting to find success in the world of bareback riding. Lees, 25, put together the best ride of his young career on June 25 in Reno, Nev. The Caldwell, Idaho native put together an 86-point ride to win the second round of the Reno Rodeo. The win moved Lees up to 29th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $15,238 as of July 6.

JACOB LEES

here and there. I got bucked off hard in Pecos (Texas), I thought that was going to set me back for a while. Then I went and did well in Reno, so you never really know what’s going to happen in this game. I just have to keep working and getting better.

Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Jacob: The only other event I did was ride bulls for a while, but bareback was always what I wanted to do. What’s your favorite restaurant? Jacob: It would probably have to be Jockos Steakhouse in Nipomo, Calif. I’ve had just about everything they serve on the menu, and it’s fantastic.

Do you have a favorite candy? Jacob: Caramello Bars there’s no doubt about that. What’s your go-to movie? Jacob: I’ve always been a huge fan of the movie “42.” It tells the story of Jackie Robinson’s life and baseball career. Do you have a favorite sports team? Jacob: No, I don’t really have a favorite sports team, but I’ve always liked baseball quite a bit. What was the make of your first truck? Jacob: I had a Ford F-150 that had a camper shell and shag carpet in the back of it. I would go to high school rodeos in that. I slept a lot of nights in that thing over the years. When you’re not rodeoing what do you enjoy doing for fun? Jacob: I’m a huge fan of building up old Harleys. It all started when I picked up an old bike for a couple hundred bucks in college, it was basically in pieces when I got it. I put that one together and have been doing it ever since. I think I like working on them more than I even like riding them. What’s your favorite holiday? Jacob: I would have to say Easter. I always get to see all my family on Easter, so it’s definitely one of my favorite holidays. What type of music do you like listening to? Jacob: I bounce back and forth regularly between older country and classic rock.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/9/2021

ProRodeo.com

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