Jake Lockwood to Make Premier Series Debut, Join Older Brother Jess in Manchester
By: Darci Miller
PUEBLO, Colo. – When Jake Lockwood is asked where he got the belt he was wearing at the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour’s Denver PBR Chute Out at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, this week, he has an interesting response.
“I made it.”
The leather belt, studded with metal and stones, is a unique look, and clearly took some skill to craft.
“I do a little leatherworking on the side,” Lockwood said. “I’ll make some chaps and some belts, so I made myself a belt. It’s pretty fun. I kind of always wanted to do it, so I got into it a couple years ago.”
The 19-year-old plays down his talents – “it’s something to do” – but has sold a number of items.
But, of course, Lockwood would rather be bull riding, a distinction he shares with his older brother, two-time and reigning World Champion Jess Lockwood.
The two look similar enough to be mistaken for each other with a quick glance – Jake is a little taller, Jess is a little thinner – but they’re distinct individuals, and their careers have taken distinct routes.
Jake made his PBR debut in 2018, competing in PBR Canada and at Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour events. He began placing more in the early part of 2019, winning his first two PBR events consecutively at PBR Canada Touring Pros in Nipawin and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, in May. He finished eighth at the 2019 PBR Canada Finals, and won his first Velocity Tour event at the Reno Rumble on Jan. 10.
“I went there last year, and I rode one out of the two, so I was excited to go back there this year,” Lockwood said of Reno. “I got that first one rode and was 90 points. So I was excited to go on to the next day, and just drew good, I guess.”
The win in Reno earned him a berth on the elite Unleash The Beast at the Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic in Sacramento, California, on Jan. 24-26.
However, thanks to his placement in the world standings – Lockwood is currently ranked No. 25 – he’ll get to the premier series a week earlier than expected, invited as an alternate to the Manchester Invitational in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Jan. 18-19.
It will be the younger Lockwood’s premier series debut.
Lockwood has drawn Up North Outlaw (2-1, UTB) in Round 1.
Fans can watch Round 1 from Manchester beginning on Jan. 18 at 6:45 p.m. ET on RidePass.
Lockwood earned his win in Reno on the back of a 3-for-3 performance. He rode Big Jake for 85 points in Round 2 and Sledge Hammer for 86 points in the championship round following his 90-point trip on Rag Doll in Round 1.
“I knew the bull,” Lockwood said of Rag Doll. “I looked him up, and one of our buddies had gotten on him, so I was excited. He was just right there in the gate into my hand, and I just made it work.”
Following his win, Jake got a congratulatory text from Jess, whom he sent the videos of his rides.
“He was excited,” Jake said. “He said good riding. Hearing it come from him, it means a lot.”
Like any 19-year-old, though, he can get a little bit tired being asked about his big brother, but he’s thrilled about all Jess has accomplished.
Jess was the PBR’s Rookie of the Year in 2016, won his first world title in 2017 and his second in 2019, becoming both the youngest World Champion and youngest two-time World Champion. It’s hard to avoid the shadow from a career like that, especially as Jake is forging his own path in the same sport.
“It gets old, but that’s part of it,” Jake said. “It’s exciting. I couldn’t be any happier for him.”
Jess has drawn Comanche (13-2, all levels) in Round 1 in Manchester.
It will be the first time there are two Lockwoods in the same draw at a premier series event.
While Jake will be competing on the elite tour for the first time, the Volborg, Montana, native isn’t too worried about the bigger stage.
“It’s just another bull riding, another step,” he said.
Lockwood is also friendly with a number of the Top 35 riders, and expects to feel right at home in the locker room.
“We get to go to most of the same bull ridings during the summer, and they’ll come to these ones like Denver here, so we get to see them around,” he said.
In Denver, Lockwood bucked off Cross Haired in 4.31 seconds in Round 1 to end his week, but with a win under his belt and two guaranteed premier series events ahead of him, Lockwood is ready to give 2020 a run for its money.
“(A win) dang sure gets you in the spot you need to be to start off the year,” Lockwood said. “I get to go to the big tour here (this) weekend, so hopefully keep it rolling there.”
© 2020 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.