Beyond the Dirt: The Humans Behind the Ride

There is a young man I met recently behind the chutes who I am just going to call "Preacher."

He’s living the kind of life you expect out here: nobody telling him what to do, traveling the open road with his riding buddies, getting from rodeo to rodeo, and just genuinely enjoying life. But what sets him apart is how he carries himself. He actively includes his faith in his life, and seeing it play out on the dirt is incredibly humbling. I learned that he purposely leaves his Bible out behind the scenes. He doesn't force it; he just leaves it open and available so that other young riders can pick it up and find a piece of scripture if they need that anchor in the storm.

The most profound thing I witnessed happened right before the rides began. I watched this young man gather his small flock. As these guys were making their final preparations—checking their gear, making sure their chaps, boots, and spurs all sat right and felt right—they circled up. Preacher stood in the center and led this small group of young men in prayer.

As a photographer, my instinct is always to reach for the camera. But for the first time, I didn't. I just watched it with my own eyes. Nobody else needed to see that right away. It was wholeheartedly inspiring to stand back behind the rail and witness this quiet, grounded stillness right before these men went out to do one of the most dangerous things known to man.

That moment with Preacher shifted something for me this weekend. It made me realize just how vital this sport, and this community, are to these young people.

Between putting in the hours in the tractor, pulling the last of the bales, and looking after my own small herd of cows back home, I know it is impossible for me to make it to every single Bull Riders Canada event this season. The distance and the dirt call in two different directions. But for every event I can get to moving forward, I am doing things differently.

I want to take the time to focus on just one rider per event. I want to connect with them—not to exploit them for content, but to really hear their story. How did they get into this? What does this community mean to them, and what do they contribute to it? After that conversation with Preacher, it became clear to me that these young men have a voice and a reason. They aren't just bull riders; they are human beings with a story to tell.

I may not have a million followers, but I want to use my platform every Monday morning to document what they have to say. I want to show that I am human too. I don't just pack around a camera looking for a paycheck. Yes, I want to make a living and cover my expenses, but I believe wholeheartedly that you get back what you put out into the world.

I want to promote BRC and all of their athletes—the human ones and the bovine ones—alongside the stock contractors and owners who give these young men a place to ride, a place to stand out, and a place to grow.

I am looking forward to telling these stories. I can't wait for the next BRC event.