World Champion bareback rider Jess Pope embodies the meaning of a true cowboy, inside and outside of the arena.
Growing up, Pope learned the meaning of hard work as he helped members of his community by riding colts and working in the sale barn.
“As long as you’re doing what you love, you’re not working a job”.
Pope says he makes a living by riding bucking horses, but when he is out of the arena and on the ranch, it feels like a vacation due to the love he has for the work. “I take great pride in what I get to do because its an art of a dying breed”.
In 2019, Pope got his PRCA Rookie Card and was winning the Rookie of the Year Title Race until mid-August, when he pulled his hamstring. He was on his way to his first NFR when the injury took place, and his career was put on pause. Garrett Shadbolt would go on to win Rookie of the Year in 2019, with Jess sitting not far behind in the standings.
After being cleared to continue riding, Pope was more motivated than ever in 2020. He had a great winter run and was headed to his first NFR when COVID put a halt to the majority of rodeos left for the year. Jess was able to use this time in quarantine to prepare for the National Finals Rodeo and was grateful for the time off. Jess went on to win the average for the 2020 NFR that took place in Arlington, Texas.
Jess continued to climb the standings in 2021, until he was injured once again, this time, with a severe concussion. During the time of this injury, Jess continued to work cattle, as well as fill time being a pickup man in his college and hometown rodeos. An injury couldn’t slow him down. He went on to finish the No. 2 man in the World in 2021 before winning his first Gold Buckle in 2022.
“At the end of the day when I’m done . . . I want them to be able to think back and say ‘that guy was a hell of a cowboy’.”
This video is courtesy of Resistol.
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