PublicationProRodeo Sports News - February 22, 2019

John Trades OF ALL

John Leinaweaver pulls down his steer at the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo in Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 10. Leinaweaver also competes in bull riding and won the all-around at the RAM FFCFR for the second time. Casey Martin photo

First Frontier Circuit cowboy does a bit of everything BY SCOTT KANIEWSKI J ohn Leinaweaver has plenty going on. Always. Whether he’s at the arena or away from it, chances are he’s busy. The Pennsylvania cowboy competes at both ends of the arena, steer wrestling and bull riding in the First Frontier Circuit. Sometimes he’s a pickup man. Other times, he’s running his business.

Frontier Circuit more than he normally would. But with a transportation business to run – Diamond L Transport – rodeo takes a backseat to making a living. “Any guy who tells you he doesn’t want to make the NFR is a darn liar,” Leinaweaver said. “But I’m self-employed, running a business. I’m looking more at the big picture. Would I love to make the NFR? Absolutely. In all reality, it’d be pretty hard. Given that opportunity, I’d probably go and maybe hit some California rodeos and see how it works.” INTHE COMPANY OF FRIENDS Leinaweaver’s parents were dairy farmers. They had horses to ride trails on, but in no way were they a rodeo family. “I went to a youth rodeo one day to hang out with a friend,” said Leinaweaver, adding that he was about 11 at the time. “I said I’d try it. So, I started getting on steers and just kept evolving.” Becoming a steer wrestler came later – his junior year of high school –

RobWright, Leinaweaver’s long-time hazer, has seen it for years. “I don’t go to as many (rodeos) as he does,” saidWright, who is also a pickup man. “But if he’s not hauling, he’s rodeoing.” Leinaweaver has been competing in ProRodeo since 2011. In that time, he’s earned $65,940 combined in steer wrestling and bull riding, with $33,710 of that coming in 2017. Other than that, he’s never made more than $10,000 in a season. That 2017 season marked his first qualification for the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla. The circuit cowboy made enough that he ventured outside the First

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ProRodeo Sports News 2/22/2019