Show Rodeo Club rt Riding High in Saddle cC Jt I t t. Michelle Gear Gearhart t rt Contributor AS l his s le leather ther fist jams into th the handle of the rigging DJ Holland sits calmly o on the bronco A nod of his head and the gate opens allowing allowing allow allow- Q ing the doors to go free A rush of adrenaline pumps through my body that is un un- describable describable said Holland who isa isa is is' isa a member of rodeo club The rush of adrenaline is what brings bareback riders back to the he rodeo again and again No matter ho how many times riders iders gar garr stepped on once riders t take ke a turn on the bronco many are hooked Troy Bennett also of the rodeo club has broken his leg and ankle but continues to ride This years year's rodeo club has more than 40 members At t least 15 is active in are n competition with three of f those competing in bareback riding Bareback riding is is' isone one of many rodeo events According According Ac Ac- cording to Holland the events a rider chooses to participate in are those thos in which they feel most confident Rodeo is performed for the int intense nse rush and love of the sport port Holland said If a rider happens to win prize money or a good buckle it helps keep their fire for Jor the sport raging t 4 Rodeo odeo is a fight between man and beast A man is lucky if he gets get to stay on for eight seconds Its It's an addiction that must be fulfilled he said Recalling calling his his' first ride Holland Holland Holland Hol Hol- land remembers it being far from pleasant Riders can get their hands stuck in the handle and arid become become become be be- come hung up After rid riding ng for five seconds he became hung up and slammed into the dirt To Toa o oa a i rider der r being hung up can be their worst nightmare The rhe bronco bron bron- ronco ron ron- co meanwhile is throwing you around like a rag doll Holland said After having the wind knocked knocke out of him beca because se of being hung up Holland said he stood up picked up hi his hat and walked painfully to the chute while trying to breathe breathe- again Holland said riders try to show no pain until they are out of the arena and away from the spectators spectator's views Like most riders Holland concealed his pain until he was back in the chute At Att t that t point a fellow rider helped him by pounding his back and forcing air back into his lungs Holland and other riders look forward to local rodeos to show their talents |