Cowkids Only - April 2024
April 2024
Brought to you by The Bell Mare Book Company
Special thanks to Champion Living Fitness for helping us connect with Josh Frost for our pro Q&A this month!
Ask a Pro:
Josh Frost
This month’s blog features bull rider and all-around cowboy, Josh Frost. Josh has qualified for the NFR four times in bull riding, but also competes regularly in tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping.
Josh gave us some great advice for youth roughstock riders, as well as some tips for all-around rodeo kids.
Ask a Pro:
Bull Rider Josh Frost
Question: What does your weekly routine look like?
Josh’s Answer:
It depends a little bit on how many rodeos I am at that week, but on a week where I am not hitting more than two to three rodeos, I go to the gym and workout every day. A lot of bull riders think they shouldn’t work out because it will make their muscles too big and it will make it harder for them to cover their bulls. But, that’s not the case. You can get stronger, without getting bigger. I also go to the practice pen and get on a practice bull two to three times a week. Now, I only ride one practice bull per practice session. When I was younger and I was riding steers and calves, I got on anywhere from two to five a practice session depending on what I was working on and trying to accomplish. Growing up, my dad’s rule was, “If you are entering a rodeo, you are going to practice.” And there was no questioning that. When we got home from school, we went to the practice pen and we practiced anything and everything we were planning to enter. And, I still believe in that today. A lot of bull riders don’t get on practice bulls, but I do. For me, there just isn’t anything that can prepare me for riding bulls at a rodeo like riding bulls in the practice pen.
Question: How can rodeo kids who also compete in timed events balance being all-around competitors?
Josh’s Answer:
I am a firm believer in entering multiple events. There are so many variables in rodeo that can take you out of the money. If you only enter the calf riding and you draw a calf you can’t win on, that’s it. You don’t have any other chances. Also, every time you enter, you put yourself in a competitive situation. The only way to get good at winning is to compete. I also think the more events you do the more coordinated and athletic you become. When I was a kid in school, my practice sessions were pretty long because we practiced everything. But, looking back, those nights in the practice pen were some of my best memories with my family. You won’t look back some day and think, “I wish I would have played more video games or watched more TV.” You will think about how thankful you are to have been raised in a rodeo family and for the quality time you spent in the arena with the people you love.
Rodeo kids have to have a level of accountability and responsibility that kids in traditional sports don’t. If you join a baseball team, the coach is going to schedule practices and if you don’t go to the practices, you aren’t going to play in the game. Rodeo kids have to have the discipline to practice even though there might not be anyone telling them to do so. And, I am not saying you have to have major practice sessions every single day. But, you can do at least a little something to help you get better every day. Whether it is roping the dummy, working out, riding your horse, or getting on sheep, calves or steers. A little something to make you better is always better than nothing at all.
Question: If rodeo kids don’t have access to roughstock between rodeos, are there ways they can improve themselves without getting on a live animal?
Josh’s Answer:
My brother, Joe Frost, and I do a lot of drills that can help improve your riding without actually getting on a live animal. In fact, we have an online bull riding school for this very purpose. At the end of the day, this is a dangerous sport, so having a little knowledge of the fundamentals can literally save your life. The school is really set up for anyone 6-years-old and up. Here is an example of one of the videos we provide through our online school that talks about chute procedures that set you up for success on calves:
Question: What are a few things you think most youth roughstock riders need to work on?
Josh’s Answer:
1) Basic technique. Take time to learn and understand the basic fundamentals for your event. If you and your parents don’t know, go to a school. Knowing the fundamentals is very important not only for your success, but your safety as well.
2) Effort. If you are going to rodeo, be committed. Put out 100% effort every time. Your effort is one of the few things you can always control. Whether you are in the practice pen, or at the rodeo, if you give it your all every time, the winning will come.
3) Control your attitude. Every time you compete, no matter what happens, learn from the experience. Don’t base your confidence and success off of whether you win or not. Winning is not something you can control. Set a goal before you nod your head and then base your measure of success on whether you accomplished that goal or not. I have been to the NFR multiple times and I still have to really work on keeping my attitude in check. You can’t base your confidence on winning. It doesn’t matter how good you are, you aren’t going to win every single time you enter. After a ride, I will watch my video and pick two to three things I did well first. Then I pick one or two things I want to do better and then I move on knowing I will be more prepared for that situation the next time. Just keep on working on making your strengths stronger and your weaknesses your strengths.
4) Be patient. If your goal is to become a professional some day, don’t burn yourself out or hurt your body at junior rodeos. If the stock you are getting on at your rodeo circuit is drilling you every time, find another circuit that has stock that fits your skill level better. Kids don’t all develop at the same speed. Just because you are in the 13 to 15 age division and they are riding junior bulls, that doesn’t mean you should be. If you are 4 inches shorter and 40 pounds lighter than the other boys, take a year off and let yourself grow. Don’t put yourself in situations that are going to get you hurt. I was a very small kid and my dad made me wait to enter the high school rodeos until I was 16. It made me mad at the time, but I am so glad he did that now. Who knows what could have happened if I had tried to ride those bulls before I was big enough. I might have never made an NFR.
Question: How do you overcome fear and nerves when the pressure is on?
Josh’s Answer:
Whether you are riding at the NFR, or at a junior rodeo finals, the only thing you can control is your job. When you start to get nervous, redirect your mind to think about what you have to do to be successful. Whether you are in the practice pen or at the biggest rodeo of your life, you have to do the same things to be successful. It’s you versus the animal both places. Sometimes nerves are hard to ignore, but focusing your mind on the steps you have to take to accomplish your goal helps keep you grounded in high-pressure situations.
Question: How do you and your brother help each other get better?
Josh’s Answer:
My brother and I definitely had our moments where we fought like cats and dogs, but at the end of every day, he was still my best friend. Having him there in the practice pen with me every night made me better. We pushed each other. Every time Joe did something well, I wanted to do it well too and we just kept challenging each other to get better. I would caution that even though you are siblings, you are different people. The path Joe took to get to the NFR worked for him, but it didn’t work for me. Everyone’s path to success is going to look a little different. Learn from each other’s mistakes and build each other up every opportunity you get. Knowing my brother is always cheering for me even when we are competing against each other, really boosts my confidence. Having siblings is a blessing, especially if they have the same interests you do.
If you could get in a time machine and tell your younger self something, what would you say?
Josh’s Answer:
Invest in yourself and if you want to prorodeo some day, treat rodeo like a job. Invest time and money in making yourself better. Go to schools, read books about mental toughness, workout regularly, spend time in the practice pen. There’s so much information out there - like the COWKIDS ONLY blog - that is available to help you get better. You just have to make the time and energy to find it and learn about it. I missed making the NFR four years in a row and I had to take a hard look at what I could be doing better and it was investing in myself. Making myself better. When I started doing that, the success followed.
Question: What is your favorite thing to read?
Josh’s Answer:
I really like books that sharpen my mental toughness. I have read a lot of books written by mental coaches that gave me the extra edge to compete at a high level. In general, I just don’t think you can read too many books. And read them more than once. You can read the same mental strength book multiple times and depending on the day, different things are going to stick with you more than others.
To learn more about the Frost Legacy online bull riding school, visit https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/7K2bpR8TZjb1cY6LLnWd
Cowkid Devotional
By High Call Ministries Pastor Kelly Cronkhite
Kelly is not your typical pastor. He’s a Jesus-loving cowboy, rancher and roper.
You probably spend hours thinking about rodeo, or riding your horse, or roping the dummy, or tying goats, or whatever it is you do to prepare yourself to compete. We spend time perfecting ourselves in the practice pen, so when we get to competition, we feel prepared and can rely on our instincts to help us be our best. Practicing creates muscle memory that our minds and bodies can rely on when we are competing at such a fast pace we don’t have time to think. Spending time with God works the same way. If we set aside time to read and learn about God’s word and pray, we are creating muscle memory so that when we are put in a tough situation, we instinctively turn to God to find answers and guidance.
Recently, my only horse came up lame. I took her to the vet and he tried to treat her, but eventually discovered there was nothing we could do to fix her. She wasn’t going to get better and I wasn’t going to be able to ride her anymore. On my way home from her last appointment, I could have been upset. Thinking, “Why did this happen to me? What do I do now?” But, because I have spent so much time with God when things are going well, I instinctively turn to him when things are not going my way. My first thought when I got in my truck to drive home was, “OK, God. I know you have this situation handled. Give me wisdom to know what to do now.” Before I got home, God put a friend’s name in my thoughts. I picked up the phone and called him. After I told him about my situation, he told me about a horse he knew of that might fit me really well. By the end of the week, I owned that horse and she is actually a better fit for me than the one I had that went lame. God was working things out for me because He loves me and cares for me. All I had to do was trust Him.
I encourage you to make a habit of spending time with God. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. God already knows who you are, so you don’t have to say any special words or be in a special place to talk to Him. Prayers can be said anywhere, anytime and there is no right or wrong way to say them. If you need help, ask God for it. If you are unsure about something, ask God to guide you. If you are scared, ask God to bring you peace. If you are mad, ask God to help you to forgive. Pray for other people in need. And, most importantly, don’t forget to thank God for all He has given you.
“Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
- Matthew 6:33
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
- Deuteronomy 6:5
“Never stop praying.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.” - Philippians 4:6
Trivia Break:
Every year the PRCA awards a cowboy with the Linderman Award. This award goes to a cowboy who has won at least $1,000 in three or more events, one of which has to be a roughstock event. Josh Frost has won the Linderman Award four times. What events qualified him for the award?
Horse Care Tip of the Month
By Equine Veterinarian Zach Bruggen
Change Things Up!
One of the most common reasons performance horses get sore and/or injured is because their exercise programs consist of the same movements over-and-over again. It is very important for our horse’s physical and mental health to give them a variety of exercise. It keeps their body strong all over and not just in certain areas, and it keeps them interested and not burnt out or bored.
Ideas to add variety to your horse’s exercise program:
Rodeo Kids: Always ask your parents before attempting any of these new ideas!
Teach them to back up without you pulling hard on the bridle reins. When horses willingly and easily back up, it strengthens the muscles in their hind end, which is where the horse gets their power from for fast turns and hard stops. Start with just a few steps at a time before you reward the horse. Eventually, challenge your horse to back going uphill, in a circle or through an obstacle course! Have fun with it!
Take your horse for a trail ride. Going up and down hills and walking over uneven ground is really important for your horse to improve their balance and strength. Trail rides are especially important for horses who are kept in a pen or stall.
Learn a new discipline! If you are a barrel racer, let your horse (safely) go track cattle around! If you are a roper, take your horse through a barrel pattern occasionally! Look up reining patterns and try to teach them to your rodeo horse. Knock your poles over and make your horse walk, trot and lope over them like small jumps. The variety will keep your horse challenged and interested in their training and make you a better rider. Win, win!
If you have a day where you can’t ride due to weather or time, take your horse for a walk around your property like you would a dog. Any time you spend with your horse is only going to build and strengthen their body, mind and partnership with you.
Rodeo Trivia Answer:
Every year the PRCA awards a cowboy with the Linderman Award. This award goes to a cowboy who has won at least $1,000 in three or more events, one of which has to be a roughstock event. Josh Frost has won the Linderman Award four times. What events qualified him for the award?
Josh Frost has won the Linderman Award for winning money in tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling and bull riding.
Exercise of the Month:
Single-Leg Swap
By Logan Corbett with Champion Living Fitness
Here’s a big word for you - proprioception. It’s pronounced “pro-pree-o-ception.” What it means is your body’s ability to sense its position in space. So, running on uneven arena dirt without looking at your feet, requires proprioception. Changing direction while running, requires proprioception. Proprioception also allows you to do two athletic movements at the same time - such as riding a horse and swinging a rope. This month’s exercise is one Josh Frost uses to help improve his strength, balance and proprioception for all of his rodeo events. The single-leg swap will help roughstock riders maintain balance during their ride, timed event competitors improve their proprioception and protect their joints and muscles during quick movements on uneven ground. And, as a bonus, if you play sports, this exercise also will help you do things like run and dribble a basketball, cut past a defender and more. Josh shows us how to properly do this exercise below. It might look simple and easy, but watch Josh’s face and you will realize this simple movement will challenge even a top athlete. Until next time, keep working to get stronger, faster and better!
Rodeo Word of the Month:
Pigtail
Pigtail
In rodeo, the term “pigtail” has nothing to do with a hairstyle or a cute pink farm animal. The part of the barrier that determines if a cowboy or cowgirl “broke out” or not, is called a pigtail. The pigtail is tied to the barrier rope with a piece of cotton string. If the cowboy or cowgirl crosses the barrier line before the neck rope breaks off the calf or steer, the pigtail will break off the barrier rope and the contestant will get a 10-second penalty. If the contestant gives the steer or calf a head start and does not break the barrier, the pigtail will remain attached to the barrier rope. During the roping and steer wrestling events, you might see contestants looking back toward the boxes after their run. They are looking to see if the pigtail is laying in the dirt, or if it is still attached to the barrier rope. Although a pigtail is a small piece of equipment that is only a few inches long, it often is the difference between first and out-of-the-money for ropers and steer wrestlers.
This illustration is from the NEW chapter book, “Short Go and the Junior Rodeo Trail,” which was made possible by Smarty Rodeo.
Rodeo Math Problem of the Month:
Straw Hat Season
Max wants to use money he won during his winter rodeo season to buy a new straw cowboy hat to wear at his summer rodeos. Max won $20 at the first rodeo, $35 at the second rodeo, $40 at the third rodeo, $60 at the fourth rodeo and $75 at the finals. The straw hat he wants costs $175. Does Max have enough money to purchase a new straw hat?
Reading Comprehension:
Linderman Award
The Linderman Award is named after one of the first all-around cowboys, Bill Linderman. Bill had a vision of creating a season-ending event that would include only the highest-point earners in each event. Eventually, Bill’s dream became what is the NFR today. The rodeo community elected Bill, who was then retired due to injuries, to be the arena director for the first NFR held in 1959. Bill died in a plane crash in 1965. The first Bill Linderman Memorial Award was presented in 1966. Bill was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979. He also was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, where a bronze statue of him was created in 1969.
Test Your Knowledge!
Who was the Linderman Award named after?
What role did Bill play at the first NFR?
What year was the Linderman Award created?
Where is the bronze statue of Bill?
Photo from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.