After rodeoing together and dating for two years, the couple decided to get their bachelor’s degrees at Texas Tech. He thoroughly enjoyed his professors in CASNR while majoring in agricultural leadership, and he continued to ride for the Tech rodeo team. “To my surprise,” Ryan said, “each teacher was friendly and willing to work with me and my rodeo schedule.” Despite the difficulty of missing classes due to rodeos, Ryan viewed college as he would a business. “You have to be organized and learn to balance your school schedule with your personal life, regardless,” Ryan said. During Ryan’s last year of college he proposed to his college sweetheart, Lacy, and they married May 20, 2006, in Phoenix, Ariz. Ryan graduated from Tech in December of 2006 and has since been hitting the road hard. Lacy works around her own busy schedule of owning her own custom jewelry and purse business in order to attend Ryan’s rodeos and cheer from the stands. Despite not being able to have his wife by his side at every event, Ryan travels with the best of bareback riders and some of his best friends. Ryan said he cannot remember a rodeo this year that at least one of his traveling partners didn’t win or at least place. “When you are around guys that are constantly winning, you just can’t sit around and feel sorry for yourself, even if you are going through a rough time,” Ryan said.
The traveling team’s positive attitude, upbeat personality and winning mentality rub off on each other. “The people you surround yourself with are the people who encourage you the most.” The rain continued to pour on that dark Colorado night as Ryan mounted his horse. He squeezed his legs around the mare as he felt her tighten up followed by his flank strap. As the chute gate opened, the mare headed out challenging Ryan with every move, which was more than he expected. Despite the miserable weather conditions, Ryan held on with control and stayed in sync with the mare. As the eight-second whistle blew, Ryan leaped over to the safety of the pick up men. He quickly ran to retrieve his soaking wet equipment from the other side of the flooded arena and headed to covered shelter. Ryan waited with anticipation for the announcer to say his score. In all his years of riding he had never heard a crowd cheer so loud and enthusiastically. Ryan made history that day. “I knew it was a good ride, but I had no idea I just tied the bareback world record with a 94-point ride.” A
Ryan scored an amazing 89.5 on Knight Rocket landing him 2nd place in the 10th and final round of the 2008 National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Photo provided by Ryan Gray.
Also at the 2008 NFR, Ryan placed 3rd with an 86.5 ride in the 6th round on Power Play, a bronc owned by Sammy Andrews Rodeo Company. Photo provided by Ryan Gray.
“You just can’t sit around and feel sorry for yourself, even if you are going through a rough time.”
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