Sometimes a reward is received when least expected. That’s the case for bull rider Tate Stratton, Yukon, OK. Last week the Texas A & M Club of Del Rio, TX thought the December 2007 Animal Science graduate of Texas A&M should be rewarded. Stratton was notified of two surprises. One, the Del Rio, TX A&M Club was so impressed that a fellow Aggie had actually paid for his college education riding bulls that they wanted to show their respect by paying his entry fees in the 32^nd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding in Del Rio, TX May 2-3, 2009. Second, they decided this was a young man that represented the best in the Aggie tradition of self reliance so; they not only invited him to speak at their annual Aggie Muster, April 21, but, are sending a private plane to pick him up in Stephenville, TX on the 21^st. Following his speech to the club, he will then be flown to his next rodeo event the following day in Lufkin, TX. From there he heads to a rodeo in Corpus Christi, TX, then on to California for a series of rodeos and bull ridings.

Stratton is currently ranked in the top 25 of Championship Bull Riding (CBR), the Tuff Hedeman organization that is the sponsoring association of the 32^nd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. He is ranked number 8 for the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association (PRCA) world bull riding title. When contacted about the offer by the Del Rio A & M Club, the 5’9, 160 pound bull rider was somewhat surprised. “I never dreamed that a local Aggie club would do something like this (pay my entry fees).” He continued, “Since I was about 8, I wanted to go to Texas A & M.” The Stanley New Mexico native never waivered in his desire to be an Aggie and he said, “No matter where I go there is always an Aggie. Doesn’t matter if it’s California or New York. When they learn I went to Texas A&M, they always treat me like a member of the family.” He quickly adds, “I was really surprised when I was told they were not only going to pay my entry fees at the George Paul but fly me in for their Aggie Muster and then fly me to my next rodeo. I have always wanted to ride at the George Paul and, not just ride in it but win it. I know it’s been over 35 years since George died but, whenever people talk about the greats of the sport of rodeo, if there’s somebody who saw George ride or who rodeoed with him they say he was hands down the best. Just to win the event and be on the list of great riders and world champions that own a George Paul buckle is my goal. What an honor.”

It also doesn’t hurt that there is a $10,000 bounty bull Saturday night. Stratton said, “We ride a bull Saturday night and then a second bull Sunday. The top fifteen guys on two bulls come back for a third bull to determine who the winner of the event will be. But Saturday night the guy with the highest score will get a chance to get on Cochise, the CBR Bull of the Year for 2008 and an extra shot to win $10,000. I’ve never been on that bull but I’ve seen him buck a lot and would love a chance at riding him. He’s never been ridden and that thought alone, to be the first guy to ride him would be great. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings to win an additional $10,000 either. I’d like to do that for all the Aggies in Del Rio that are being so darn nice to me. One thing about that bull, he’s real fast, bucks hard and has no tricks. I would really like to earn a shot at riding him.”

Winning the George Paul is not the only goal for the 24 year old. He continued, “My goal is to win a CBR and PRCA title the same year. Any bull rider who is serious wants a world title and I would just like to be the guy that wins the George Paul and two world titles in one year. That’s what is great about CBR. Tuff (Hedeman) wants all bull riders to be able to go to as many events as they can. CBR is all about the bull riders and their fans. We are always treated with respect by the entire CBR team and the fans are great.”

 Part of a dream future for Stratton is a horse and cattle ranch when retiring from bull riding is on the horizon. “I have a number of years ahead of me baring injury riding bulls. Riding bulls is what I love to do, but I realized early on that someday your body just won’t let you have the reflexes to continue in this sport and that’s why getting an education was so important to me. I know there is only so many years I can compete and I wanted a fall back position. Texas A&M gave me the tools I’ll need for a successful future.” Stratton was awarded a rodeo scholarship to Tarleton State University but opted for Texas A& M because he felt he would concentrate more on academics at A&M and more on rodeo at Tarleton.

A National Intercollegiate Bull Riding World Title in 2004 and bull riding wins at such prestigious rodeos as Ellensburg, WA, Moses Lake, WA, Xtreme Bulls, Austin, TX, Portales, NM, Alpine, Vernon, and Stephenville, TX, Greeley and Denver, CO, Lawton, OK, Sikeston, MO and Coleman, TX, Oklahoma State Fair Champion, Lane Frost Challenge Champion, Vernal, UT, Elk City, OK and as a CBR World Championship qualifier have helped fill out his resume.

The old saying in rodeo is not whether you’re going to get hurt just how often and how bad. Injuries have not escaped Stratton but none has kept him down and out. A torn ACL, broken nose, blow out of the orbital socket of an eye have not hampered his career.

The future for the young bull rider is full of promise and additional goals include getting his Masters, teaching Ag courses, hopefully a stint as a rodeo team coach at a college plus owning his own ranch where he raises horses as well as bucking bulls and breeding stock.

From a grandfather and dad that were rodeo participants as well as cowboys, Tate Stratton learned the importance of hard work and persistence. His quest is world championships but his outlook on life is simple. “Í love being a cowboy and feel the Lord has placed me here to take care of and tend to animals. My family has always had horses and cattle and it has been a true blessing to be part of a western heritage. How much luckier can a guy be?”

To answer the question,  luck has been defined where opportunity and preparation meet. With talent, determination, optimism and years of preparation, Tate Stratton may well be the next cowboy to strap on a George Paul Memorial Championship buckle as well as a bull riding world title gold buckle. He is positive proof that when you take care of business, rewards just have a way of finding you. Hat’s off to the Texas A&M Club of Del Rio, TX for recognizing and rewarding such a talented young cowboy.

Next week, champions, bull riders and bulls headed for Del Rio.

Title sponsor for the 32^nd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is Ram Country Dodge in Del Rio, TX with co-event sponsors Budweiser and Fred Loya Insurance. The 32^nd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding will be held Saturday, May 2, at 7:00 PM and Sunday, May 3, at 3:00 PM. Ticket information can be found on the webs sites georgepaulmemorialbullriding.com and CBRbull.com or, by calling the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding office at 830-775-9595, located at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. Follow George Paul Memorial Bull Riding updates weekly. (By John Ludlum, 32nd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. All rights reserved)