Jean Gordon
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 12:55 pm
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Like some people, Randy Whitener grew up with an excitement for rodeos, especially bull riding - via the television screen. There was a certain enthusiasm for a young boy to watch a cowboy get his hand securely wrapped with bull rope in order for the rope not strip from his hand as the chute opened and the bull ride began.
Today at age 30, Randy is no longer watching bull riding on television. He is a bull rider. With a rope tightened around his hand, Randy hangs on for as many second as possible. He's reached the maximum 8 seconds several times.
Randy was among bull riders competing in the Professional Bull Riding (PBR) event at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in June.
"It was good and it was the second time I've been out there (to compete). I've never done too good out there and it's just five minutes away from the house," he said. There's something about riding in front of the home crowd that stirs the pressure a little more and perhaps stirs the nerves. But he loves riding near home.
Randy, a 2011 graduate of R-S Central High School, and his wife Ashley and their two children live off Hwy. 108, just minutes away from TIEC. They joined other family and friends in the TIEC stands for the event to watch Randy ride.
"They love it," he said of his young children in the stands.
Randy described the PBRs as much tougher than a rodeo, but he enjoys participating in them.
When he is about to get on a bull, the adrenaline begins to flow as he carefully ties the bull rope around his gloved hand while waiting for the chute to swing open and the ride begins.
"It's so much fun to do," he said.
For 11 years, Randy has roped himself on a bull and has been thrown off prior to the maximum 8-second ride, but he has also claimed victories riding the full time.
He's broken a lot of bones including his arms and ribs and sustained other injuries, but never broken a leg.
Randy said he has never experienced a time when he thought he couldn't get off the bull.
"I've been hung up a couple times, but never afraid I couldn't get off the bull," he said.
The aim is to get off the bull safely.
When he arrives for a PBR or a rodeo competition, the venues hosting the event provide the bulls.
"When we get there, it is a random draw," regarding the bull chosen for a particular rider.
After graduating from R-S Central where he played football, Randy went off to Catawba College where he played football. He'd never been involved in any other sport, but while in college his friends invited him to go to a rodeo. He was hooked. He knew riding bulls was what he wanted to do and knew he couldn't do college and learn bull riding at the same time, so he came back home to Rutherford County and pursued his childhood interest.
"My dreams came true," he said.
Randy competes in the Pro Bull Riders Challengers Series with many events taking place in Texas and thoroughly enjoys the competitions at the TIEC, because it's home.
He told one reporter recently that when his name was announced that he'd made the cut to bull ride at the TIEC, chills went through his body. He was before the home crowd. Although a bit intimidating, at the same time it was so much fun to be riding locally and trying to put on a good show. "This is where I was born and raised. It's home. You know, I don't know anything else."
When Randy is riding 2,000 pounds of hamburger meat, it's something to think about and serious work. During another recent interview, he said, "It's all about motivation, good mind set...One of the main things is staying in shape mentally. Be there in the moment, be there in the present. You can't look back."
The advice he would give a person interested in becoming a bull rider, "They need to start small and go find someone that's got some bulls and start practicing. It takes a certain type of competitor to enjoy the sport."
When he's not riding bulls, Randy is working Monday-Friday in his own business, Nothin' But Grit Clearing and Landscaping, enjoying his family and living the life in Rutherford County.
His next Pro-Rodeo appearance will be in Spartanburg this weekend (August 2-3) at the Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds. Live music begins at 6pm and the rodeo begins at 8pm.
Randy is also bull riding at the Bakersville rodeo August 9 and 10.