Cowboy dreams: Stratford continues strong run of success on bull-riding circuits

Tuesday, August 18, 2020
J.R. Stratford dazzles en route to victory.
Submitted photo

He only just turned 18 on Monday, but bull-riding extraordinaire J.R. Stratford is already a veteran of several bull-riding circuits.

Having previously secured the 2017 junior world championship, Stratford has since won numerous pro events, and currently resides in first-place this season in the Kansas Pro Rodeo Association (KPRA), Central Plains Rodeo Association (CePRA), and United Rodeo Association (URA) standings.

Even with many COVID-19 related cancellations this season, Stratford has accumilated nearly $7,000 from the KPRA alone, roughly $5,000 more than his closest competitor.

J.R. Stratford's Kevin B. Adkins Memorial buckle.
Submitted photo

Stratford collected a KRPA victory in Leoti, Kansas, with an 84-point ride on July 31. Still in the Sunflower State the following day, Stratford blazed to victory, with a 79-point ride at a CePRA event in Newton, held at the Harvey County Fair. The first-place finish also earned him the prestigious Kevin B. Adkins Memorial buckle.

Several days later Stratford was in California, Missouri for the Amped Up Pro Bull-riding Tour. Stratford didn't disappoint, notching rides of 86.5 and 83, and was the only competitor to remain on his bull, en route to the first-place finish.

The win netted Stratford a sizable cash payout, as well as a championship buckle. Stratford continued to dazzle, with back-to-back 83 point rides in Elkhart (Kan.) and Waynoka (Okla.), capturing the win at both events.

That concluded a stretch in which Stratford had seven consecutive qualified-rides, with all but one tallying 80 points or higher.

Maintaining this level of dominance is no easy feat. Stratford discussed his keys to success.

"Never giving up, and always keeping my mental game right," he said. "Bull-riding is 90 percent mental, and 10 percent physical. You have to get in front of that mental block and believe in your abilities, no matter what that may be. Injuries, fear, nervousness, mind games — all has to go out the window, because the game is far too dangerous to second guess it."

Stratford has crafted a unique style while in the ring, as it almost appears he's dancing with the bull.

"I try to ride each bull for what he does, and react to him by each move he makes," Stratford explained. "Every bull is different, and it takes a new way to ride them. I try to make each bull as easy as possible for myself, and not try to work too hard. The way I ride, sometimes, can make bulls look too easy, and I’ll get underscored."

J.R. Stratford displays his skills, during one of his many stellar performances on the 2020 circuit.
Photo by Taylor Stratford | Special to the Daily Mail

Since Jan. 1 Stratford has won 20 events, and hauled in nearly $20,000 in prize money. Stratford said his favorite moment of 2020 was his virtuoso performance in Hartdner, Kansas, where he scored an 87 point ride.

He explained that he rode to victory that night on a bull nicknamed "Shipwreck," because of its imposing physical attributes. Stratford said while riders rarely go for a spin on Shipwreck, he had previously partnered up with the vaunted bull in 2018, yielding successful results.

The reunion between J.R. and Shipwreck in Hartdner was grand, as Stratford collected $2,000 for the victory.

"I knew the bull was a handful, and was stoked at another opportunity, since the last time resulted in a buck off," he recounted. "I was able to scratch my way by him for a big score. We now have a 2-2 record. He’s won twice, and I’ve got the full eight seconds on him twice. One heck of a bull, from my good friend and contractor, Pat Packard."

Another golden moment for Stratford came on his home turf, claiming victory at the Vernon County Youth Fair Rodeo in early June. While not as high-profile as many of the other events he competes in, Stratford said he enjoyed every moment of it.

It always feels good to ride in front of a big crowd," he said. "A crowd that has watched me grow up and ride in that very arena since I started was just awesome."

J.R. Stratford rides to glory.
Submitted photo

Stratford, a former student of the Bronaugh R-7 school district, now resides in Pratt, Kansas, about a four hour drive from Nevada.

"Coming back to Nevada is one of my favorites each year," he said. "I love the intensity of the crowd when it’s my turn to go. It’s great to be close enough to home that all my family and friends can come out. It’s heart-warming, and shows that dreams are made of gold."

Despite all the success, it's been a wrenching time for Stratford, who tragically lost his best friend and traveling partner, Caden Moss, in a car accident in April.

"It’s not the same going to bull-ridings, and places, without my right- hand man," he said. "It’s been a long, hard road for me. Everything I do is for Caden, and I’m going to win the world champion buckle for him when it’s my time. I have no intentions of slowing down."

Despite one of the circuits Stratford competes on containing "Pro" in its title, he won't officially turn pro until October, zeroing in on the major league of Bull-riding —the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).

"(2021) will be a busy year, but I’m ready to take on the task — and hopefully see the yellow bucking chutes in Las Vegas before long," summed up Stratford.

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