To support the rodeo life, riders take a beating in arena and checkbook

April 30, 2007

Enterprise file photo San Augustine Chamber of Commerce Pro Rodeo When: Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Rodeo begins 8 p.m. Where: Youth Rodeo Arena, 1100 block of Oak Lawn Street, San Augustine. Tickets: Advance tickets $7 adults, $4 children 12 and younger. At gate, $10 adults, $5 children 12 and younger. Purchase advance tickets at the San Augustine Chamber of Commerce, 611 West Columbia St., San Augustine. Contact: San Augustine Chamber of Commerce at (936) 275-3610 or www.sanaugustinetx.com 62nd Annual YMBL Championship Rodeo When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Where: Ford Arena, 5115 Interstate 10 South. Tickets: $12, $16, $20 and $30, available at the Ford Park box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, including Macy's in Parkdale Mall, and For Your Entertainment in Central Mall, Port Arthur. Contact: Ticketmaster at (409) 833-7747 and www.ticketmaster.com. For a complete list of events, visit the YMBL Web site. www.ticketmaster.com Jasper Lions Club Rodeo When: 7:30 p.m. May 9-12. Where: Jasper Lions Rodeo Arena, Arena, 530 Calvert St., Jasper. Tickets: $7 and $12 May 9; $13 and $18 May 10-12. Contact: Jasper Lions ticket office at (409) 384-2234 or visit www.jasperlionsrodeo.com

By JAMIE REID

The Enterprise

Broken ribs, collapsed lungs and ripped ears might hurt a rodeo cowboy, but nothing cripples him quite like an empty wallet.

Without money for gas, motels and entry fees, these bull and bronc riders can't afford their rodeo habit.

Many, like team roper Coby Jones, 32, of Gatesville, work steady jobs to finance cross-country travel that, this week, includes a trip to Beaumont for the 62nd Annual Young Men's Business League Championship Rodeo.

He will be joined by 276 other competitors, according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

While Jones made $43,000 last year in rodeos, past years haven't been as plush. So, he trains horses, which brings in about $35,000 a year.

The horse training money goes to help his family - two children with another on the way - while the rodeo income typically goes back into rodeos, he said.

When that account runs low, he stays closer to home and travels to fewer rodeos, he said.

"Some guys stay out there a couple years and don't win," Jones said. "I'm not that bull headed."

The cowboys are working toward the annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, an invitation-only event that gives the men a shot at fame and fortune.

Each contestant who makes it there collects an automatic $10,000 - with a chance to win much more.

The purse last year totaled $5.375 million, with top taker, bareback rider Will Lowe of Canyon, bagging $128,302 in 10 days, according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Web site.

"That's what we do it for," said saddle bronc rider Billy Herbert, 27, of Marble Falls. "It's the dream."

Last year, in an attempt to reach Vegas' bright lights, Herbert rode in about 100 rodeos, where he won about $10,000, he said.

"And, that's about what I spent (on rodeos)," said Herbert, who earns about $3,500 a month at a construction job to pay bills and, once in a while, take his girlfriend out to eat.

"Heck, if I had any money I dang sure wouldn't be out here working," Herbert said. "I'd just be rodeoing all the time."

Some guys, like 25-year-old bull rider Bryan Richardson, are just that lucky, or, perhaps, that talented.

Richardson of Dallas makes quick money these days: $192,078 in 2005 and about $70,000 last year, when an injury slowed him down.

On bull riding money, he has a new home, investments and a financial advisor.

Yet, he used credit cards to pay for his early rodeo days. About six years ago, he owed more than $10,000, he said.

"I was busted. If you aren't winning a good bit of money, you are in the hole," he said. "It's like being on vacation all year. And, it's expensive to be on vacation."

jreid@beaumontenterprise.com

(409) 880-0787