Mom’s Teach Consistency
Behind some of the world’s most talented professional bull riders are their moms, who mothered on a professional level, too — they struggled and endured to encourage their cowboy’s careers.
Most mothers have one thing in common, they decide early on their desires and wants and even needs came second to what their children needed and wanted. They believe with great sacrifice comes great reward.
The Indian National Finals World Champion bull rider and first time CBR World Finals Qualifier Cody Jesus is the first to admit he owes much of his bull riding success to his mother Heather Lynn Duncan of Sawmill, Arizona.
After winning the CBR Rio Rancho tour stop Jesus earned his way on to the national CBR Road to Cheyenne tour and Jesus believes consistency is and was the key to his success, just staying on all your bulls he said is the most important factor. But Jesus has one more secret weapon that is consistently in his corner – his Mom, Heather Lynn Duncan.
“I don’t know where to start. She’s means everything to me she’s the best mom in the world. If it were not for her I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. From buying me my first practice bull to, taking me to my first 10 bull ridings and watching me go to jumps an just tell me it’s okay. But that kind of support to have is unexplainable and that’s why I am where I am today… thank you mom,” said Jesus.
When Jesus accepted Tuff Hedeman’s invitation to compete in Rio Rancho he called her “the real winner” – tearfully thanking her for working so hard through his childhood to support him and his siblings in a post event interview.
Rodeo moms like Heather helped Jesus to realize his potential. You could count on her cheering in the stands, urging him to practice and pushing him to never give up.
Rodeo moms have one thing in common, most of them will tell you it is not about the pro’s but to help them and push their sons toward his dream. But that’s exactly what Jesus dream was, and Mom’s compromises paved the way for his ascendance from junior Phenom to competing this year at the CBR World Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days in July.
As a kid, Mom’s fuel competitive spirit. And even bull riders draw on those life lessons when it counts the most. Consistent doses of tough love are part of sports moms’ unique bond and most pro athletes keep that close to heart.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Courtesy of CBR