A young cowboy with big dreams sets his sights high

Ryker Woodcock is a typical 10-year-old kid in many ways, even posing with Santa Claus for an annual picture just a few weeks back. But, there is one way that Woodcock stands out from his peers, and it has to do with a hobby he hopes to turn into something more one day. Woodcock is a rodeo kid. Though he didn’t grow up in a rodeo family, the lure of the excitement that can only be found in a rodeo ring stuck to him like glue at a young age.

“I liked watching rodeos on tv, and I remember wanting to try it. So, I did, and I really liked it. I just wanted to keep on doing it and getting better,” explained Woodcock. His mom, Jessica Woodcock, said she had horses growing up and that they live on a small hobby farm but are nothing near a rodeo family. “He was basically born with it ever since he was little. He started off by riding in the mutton-busting competitions when he was about four years old,” she said.

After a couple of years riding sheep and getting his bearings in the riding arena, Woodcock decided to move up to the ponies. Since then, Woodcock has competed around the area. “He’s been to quite a few rodeos since he started. He’s been to the big ones in Stoney Plain. There was a big one at Northlands in Edmonton that he went to, and he also competed at the Peers Gold Rush Days when they had mini broncs. He got third there,” explained his mom.

Earlier this year, Woodcock competed in Stony Plain for the Canadian Junior Roughstock Association (CJRA). The youngster came in first in his division, winning the CJRA Chute-Out Series Peewee Bareback Championship and snagging himself a big belt buckle (shown). The win qualified him for the World Finals in Wickenburg, Arizona, where in his first time qualifying for such an event, Woodcock came in fifth. “We are very proud of him,” said his mom, Jessica.

The drive to Arizona for the competition was an experience the family will never forget. “It was a cool experience. You had to watch out for rattlesnakes and scorpions, but it was fun, though,” he said. Woodcock said that he hopes to qualify in a higher age group next year as he ages out of the Peewee level. “His age group, the peewees, competed in Wickenburg, but the rest of the rodeo kids got to compete at NFR. Next year, if he qualifies, he will get to do that too, “explained his mom.

The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is a massive event in Las Vegas. Woodcock said he hopes to get there. “It would be really cool to qualify for that and get to go,” he said with a big grin. To do it, Woodcock needs to move up to the bigger ponies. “I’m excited for that. They are kind of still the same (as the smaller ponies), just fatter. It’s going to be easier, I think.”

For his mom, Jessica, watching her young son tackle sheep, then ponies was hard at first. “It’s better now. The first few times watching him was very hard on me. We are pretty used to it now because he’s been doing it for four years.”

Woodcock said he hopes to get into bull riding when asked what he sees in his immediate future. His mom chuckled. “I don’t feel as good about the bulls because they will try and kill you. Horses, generally, once you fall off, go the other direction and get away from you, but bulls, not so much,” she laughed.

When asked how soon Ryker could test out his interest in bull riding, his mom said it was sooner than she liked. “Unfortunately, I think he can start riding steers anytime,” she laughed as her son gave her a big grin and a giggle. No matter what path Woodcock takes, it’s pretty evident that he has the determination to learn, the willingness to work hard, and the spirit of a rodeo champ. Good Luck, Ryker!