ProRodeo Sports News - June 11, 2021

J.J. Miller’s horse, Keechi. Payne went on to win that rodeo before the horse passed away that summer. He found another mount, only to see it sidelined by injury this season. To say the least, it’s been a challenging road for Payne. “It’s really tough, but I guess I’m just so far into it now, I can’t quit,” said Payne, who has $6,394 in circuit earnings this year. “It’s just what I do now. If I get old enough some day or something bad enough happens, maybe I’ll get out of it. “I keep saying, ‘If something happens to this horse, I’ll probably be done,’ and something happens, but then I just keep going.” The 6-4, 230-pound Payne was encouraged to get into steer wrestling by his father-in-law – former steer wrestler Tim Burgess – and after Payne realized he was getting too big for the riding events. When he’s had strong horses underneath him, Payne has excelled, but those times have been few and far between. Payne does his best to keep an even-keel attitude, never getting too high or low on what transpires.

rodeos left for me to get up there a little bit.

“This year, I feel like I could have a chance (at a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo run). I feel like I’ve got a good horse again, and hopefully he’ll hang in there and let us have a good try at it.” In addition to his wife, Shaina, the elder Payne can rest assured he has the support of Grady every step of the way. “We always push each other to do better, watch each other and try to learn from each other,” said Grady, 24. “We’ve always been best friends, really rely on each other and know we always have someone we can count on. I’d say we get along pretty well, and it’s nice to have each other. “Even if you’re not winning, you still kind of are if it’s your brother who’s winning and you’re helping him (as his hazer). It definitely helps and gives you something to look forward to.” Grady said his brother’s strength as a bulldogger is an unending desire to evolve. BROTHER IN HIS CORNER

“I just enjoy steer wrestling. Whether I win money or not, I feel like, if I tried as hard as I could and made the best run I could, that’s all I can do.” – DON PAYNE

“Sometimes I get upset, but I don’t really think about it,” he said. “I just enjoy steer wrestling. Whether I win money or not, I feel like, if I tried as hard as I could and made the best run I could, that’s all I can do. I’ll go on to the next one and hope for a better go.” HORSEPOWER TO THE RESCUE Finally, this year, Payne found a horse he could count on – a 12-year-old sorrel named Duke he bought from Paul Melvin. The talented equine carried him to victories at the Crockett (Texas) Lions Club PRCA Rodeo and the Santa Rosa Roundup in Vernon, Texas, in May, and Payne is feeling optimistic and energized for the summer. “He’s just super easy,” said Payne, who finished 46th in the 2019 PRCA |

“He just tries to be the best that he can and is always trying his hardest to get better and improve off each run,” Grady said. “He gives it everything he has every time and tries his hardest every single run.” For the Payne brothers, giving up or not trying will never be part of the equation. “You’ve just tried for so long that you keep on trying,” Grady said. “It’s just about not wanting to give up and trying to follow through with your dreams as hard as you can. That’s what we’ve tried to do. “There have been several times where you want to give up, but you know that you can do it, so you keep going.”

RAMWorld Standings. “Most of the time, we just have green horses we’re training on, and you have to jack with them in the box. This horse, you just back him in there and get to focus on yourself. “As long as you’ve drawn a good enough steer and you steer wrestle good enough, you’re going to win. The horses are doing their job. It’s a good feeling.” Horsepower, Payne knows, is at least half the battle in steer wrestling. “I feel like finding a good horse is the toughest deal, because everybody can steer wrestle these days and throw them down,” he said. “It’s just who has good enough horses to get you there.” Payne and his younger brother, Grady, a PRCA steer wrestler who hazes for him, are still getting to know the super sorrel. “The horse is still pretty new to us, so it takes a little bit to have 100 percent confidence in yourself on that horse,” said Don, who returns the favor as hazer for his younger brother. “But after you start getting some of them like that, it makes you feel better, for sure.” With Duke under his saddle, Payne is hoping to make a run at another circuit title and maybe even bigger things. “We’re entered up pretty hard over the Fourth, and we plan on sticking it out,” Don said. “Cade Staton has a pretty good lead, but hopefully there will still be enough circuit

Photo courtesy Don Payne Steer wrestlers Don Payne, right, and his younger brother, Grady, take a break before competing at a rodeo in Coleman, Texas, recently. Don is turning heads this season in the Texas Circuit.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/11/2021

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