Bull riding is in Radford’s blood
Albertan began at age 10 aboard steers: ‘It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do,’ he says
Brock Radford can’t get enough of riding bulls.
It’s been in his blood ever since he started riding steers at the age of 10.
“It’s definitely been something I’ve been working towards my whole life,” said Radford, 22, who is one of 25 bullriders who will compete at PBR Canada’s Monster Energy Tour event at the Agrium Events Centre on Saturday. “This is all I’ve ever really wanted to do.”
Raised in nearby De Winton, Alta., Radford spent the majority of his formative years travelling from rodeo to rodeo with his parents.
“They rodeoed a lot, so they hauled me around in the truck,” recalled Radford, whose dad Max competed as a bronc rider, while his mom Bobby June was a barrel racer. “I just grew up going to rodeos every weekend. I just took to the bulls more.”
Riding bulls became “the biggest addition in the world” for the young Albertan.
“It’s David versus Goliath,” said Radford, who currently sits atop the PBR Canada national standings. “You’re conquering a beast you really have no business in being on the back of him. It’s something that gets in your blood. There’s no greater feeling when you ride one for a big score.”
His love for the sport and passion to succeed has caught the eye of fellow competitors and event organizers.
“He’s really challenging himself and he’s getting on the best bulls out there, so we’re going to see Brock growing a lot these next couple years and coming into his own,” said two-time and reigning PBR Canada champion Zane Lambert, who will also compete on Saturday.
PBR Canada director of operations Jason Davidson has also been impressed by Radford’s emergence on the bull riding scene.
“Brock’s one of the shining lights or the future stars or our sport, no question,” Davidson said. “His drive and compete have definitely paid off the last two years. I’ve seen him mature into one of Canada’s great bullriders and I think, with his attitude, he can be one of the all-time greatest.”
Radford would like nothing more than to kick off the first Monster Energy Tour event of the season with a big score atop Liberty Tower, the bull he’ll ride in Saturday’s opening round.
“He’s one of the up-and-coming bulls that’s been pretty promising and showing a lot of potential,” said Radford, who hopes to qualify as one of the top 10 competitors to advance to the championship round. “If I do my job, I should be at the top of the leaderboard. This’ll be my first time climbing on the back of this one. I’ve seen him lots and I’ve been wanting to get on him, so I’m looking forward to it.”
After edging out Radford to win his second PBR Canada title last October in Saskatoon, Lambert is looking to carry that momentum into this season.
“I was able to sneak away with the win there, so that was pretty special, but this is 2018,” said the 31-year-old Ponoka resident. “I’ll focus on trying to defend it now and start getting points right away.”
Saturday’s event in Calgary is the first of six Monster Energy Tour events leading up to the PBR Canada Finals in Saskatoon in late November.
While Radford, Lambert and their fellow bullriders also compete at other Canadian Tour Pro Division events, the Monster Energy Tour stops feature more prize money ($20,000) and points up for grabs.
“For Calgary to step up and do a Monster Energy event is pretty cool and awesome, because it helps us get points on the board early, not only for our national standings but towards the world finals (in Las Vegas in November),” explained Lambert.
Radford was also happy to hear that Calgary stepped up to host such a high-profile event for the first time since 2016.
“It’s a big chance for Canadian riders and any other riders that come to it to win a lot of money and a lot of points to get us to the Canadian finals and to the world finals in Vegas,” he said, while noting that being able to sleep in his own bed is an added bonus.
“It’s nice when you don’t have to go get in a plane or sit in a truck for a certain amount of hours to go to an event.
“It’s good when it’s just a hop, skip and a jump down the road.”