Eldred Happy to be Able to Spend Time at Home with New Baby Girl
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – Brennon Eldred is no fortuneteller or psychic, but when he looks down at his new baby girl, Jade Jolene, happiness, hope, love and excitement fill his heart.
“It is definitely life-changing,” Eldred told PBR.com on Wednesday afternoon with little Jade right by his side.
“The sleep we were getting is no longer a thing,” Eldred continued with a laugh. “But she has actually been a really good baby. She hardly fusses, and she has just made life a lot funner, really. She doesn’t ever cry, and she is always happy. She is only nine days old, and it is crazy to say that, but in the nine days she has been here, I can count on one hand how many times she has cried.”
Eldred and his fiancé, Jewel Owens, welcomed Jade Jolene to the world on March 9. Fellow Unleash The Beast bull rider Luciano de Castro and his wife, Isabella, announced Wednesday the birth of their daughter, Sara, on Instagram.
Eldred is like many Americans right now who are taking extra precautions, following government guidelines and staying at home amidst the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.
The 25-year-old admits it can be worrisome, but he is looking at the situation as the glass being half-full.
There are certainly positives to being at home in Roff, Oklahoma, for the time being with his daughter and fiancé.
“Half of me is a little bit worried, just because she is so new and doesn’t have an immune system and stuff, but the other half of me is relieved because we have a ranch that we can hang out on, and we don’t have to go out to town,” Eldred said. “We are stocked up on everything. If need be, if we have to be stuck here for a month we will be OK. We are going to be OK because we are pretty much out here by ourselves. We don’t have to worry about running into people all the time and her getting sick. That is one of the plus sides of being stranded at the ranch. We are lucky we have this place where we are at.
“It is never a good time for things like this to happen, but if it was going to happen, I guess it is a good time for me.”
Eldred – the No. 27-ranked bull rider in the world standings – said he plans on keeping busy around his Oklahoma ranch for the time being.
It is calving season, and Eldred has about 75 head of cows on his ranch. He also has four horses that he ropes with, and a few younger ones as well that he is training.
There is plenty of work for him outside of his new fatherly duties.
“I have something to do around here every day,” Eldred said. “My work around here doesn’t really require me leaving. As far as the ranching goes, it is 24/7 around here. You can do as much as you want to do. There is always a colt that needs rode. These bucking cattle, these yearlings I am training, there is always calves that need a little more training. You can always find something to do on the ranch. There is always something that needs to be fixed.”
Eldred understands he will be riding for more than just himself in the future.
“I really need to take my job serious, and make sure I show up every time and do everything I can to provide the best for her and my family,” Eldred said.
The three-time World Finals qualifier said he would try his best to remain in riding shape so that when the season resumes, he will be ready.
Eldred has a few practice bulls at home, and he and good friend Colten Jesse may hit the practice pen next week depending on the weather.
“I have to find one day a week to get on my practice bulls,” Eldred said. “When we buck calves and stuff, Colten or one of my buddies will come over. We will buck practice bulls. I would like to say I have a pretty nice practice bull I can get on three to four times a week that is pretty easy to handle.”
Eldred is going to embrace slowing down as best he can for the time being.
He knows life as a professional bull rider requires plenty of days away from home, so he is going to appreciate every second he gets with his baby girl during an uneasy time.
“We are not going to worry or stress about it right now because that is not going to help anything,” Eldred said. “Pray about it, and keep on going about our normal life at home. Keep these cows fat and healthy, and go about our business.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
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