IN THIS ISSUE
Marty Buckingham and
Morgan share the moment of
truth in the bucking chutes.
Photo by Mary Peters
for us to get set down and ready when there were still two
guys ahead of you to go. It was how fast that rodeo was
run that left a lasting impression on me the first time. That
and knowing Harry Vold was out there in the arena on his
big, black horse. That was cool.”
“You had to draw a good one. That was your hope
everywhere, but when it came to Cheyenne you hoped a
little harder. Not every horse will stick to the business plan
when tempted with that much real estate. One year, I
was double-grabbed waiting for the pick up man while my
horse was heading straight across the arena toward the
photographer’s pit. Apparently, something in there was
appealing to him. I saw photographer Dan Hubbell’s eyes
with that deer in the headlights look and prayed my horse
would turn left – right, anywhere but into the pit. He did,
but it was a close call.”
Buckingham’s last nod at Cheyenne came in 1999. It’s
been nearly 20 years since he had a stake in anything
going on there, but this year will change all of that. At 44
years old, he’ll be helping his son, Morgan get ready to
make his best attempt at an 8 second bareback ride at
The Daddy.
“He’s been down the road for three years and nodded
among the best in his class at the Jr. NFR. Even that
experience won’t prepare him for this. He doesn’t know
what’s coming at him and I’m thrilled to be able to be
there to help him with that.”
There’s a bond between father and son from the moment
of birth and a sacred vow to help that boy grow and
support him while he chases his own dreams. When the
young man chooses the path his father walked, drove
and rode on the back of a bucking horse, there’s a pride
that nothing in the universe can dim. This year, The Daddy
hosts the daddies that are living that blessing while their
sons get a taste of legend and legacy in a way not often
experienced.
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www.rodeofame.com
“Legends & Legacies is an amazing, first-time opportunity
for the Jr. Roughstock Association members to showcase
so much that’s right about our community,” said JRA
President Lacie DeMers. “Last year, we watched them
grow as competitors and ambassadors for the sport in
Las Vegas, which is a thrill in itself. This year, thanks to the
Cheyenne Frontier Days Committee’s vision for not just
the history of this one-of-a-kind event, but for the future, a
whole new dimension is added with this contest.”
Morgan is known affectionately as ‘Mo’ by his family and
friends. He’s 13 years old and has been riding for three
years. His riggin’ bag is heavy because he’s a three event
roughstock man, showing talent and desire in bull riding,
saddle bronc and bareback riding. For the moment, it’s
the bareback riding that has his heart.
“I like it best for a couple of reasons. My dad did it and it’s
the event where you can hang on the tightest,” Mo said.
“The first time I tried it, I full fell in love.”
“The hardest thing for me to learn is turning your toes
out,” the young Miles City, Montana twister said. “I do a lot
of practicing away from the arena to perfect that. Things
like catching a pillow with my heels and squeezing a ball
with my feet in the right position.”
“I’ve seen the horses I get on progress from pretty easy to
tougher,” said Mo. “I don’t have any favorite horses or like
one’s style any better than the next. What I draw and get
on is what I get on.”
“I’m excited about getting to ride at Cheyenne Frontier
Days,” he said. “It’s pretty cool to get to go. I’m already
working on my mind and confidence and can’t wait to see
how that pays off.”
For more information about the Junior Roughstock
Association, please visit their website at www.
juniorroughstock.com