ProRodeo Sports News - January 12, 2018

GRILLE COWBOY

One month into his rookie year, saddle bronc rider LEFTY HOLMAN kicked off the 2018 season by placing second at the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo. The hefty payday propelled the 19-year-old, California cowboy to the top of the Resistol Rookie Standings with $5,214, nearly double the No. 2 rookie saddle bronc rider’s total.

WITH MATT NABER PSN

Is Lefty your real name or a nickname? How did you get it? Lefty: It’smy real name, my dad (Pete) is a really big (Los Angeles) Dodgers fan and there was a pitcher everyone called Lefty, and that’s where I got my name from. Are you left-handed?

Lefty: No, I’mactually right-handed. But I wish I was left-handed, it wouldmakemy life easier. I’ve always ridden right-handed. What was it like to place second at the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo just one month into your rookie year? Lefty: Man, it was a great way to start my rookie year. I want to try tomake the Finals this year and it put me in the Top 20 in the world, and I just turned 19, so it’s really exciting. How does competing on the Cuesta College (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) rodeo team impact your ProRodeo career? Lefty: There’s a big difference between them, but I like college rodeo because you can see everyone your age and compare with themand there’s some nice hoppers to get on, and it’s just good to go back and forth to keep you on your toes. My coach, Ben Londo, rides broncs professionally, too, and he’s been great. How did you get into saddle bronc riding? Lefty: Well, I’ve rodeoed for as long as I can remember, and I come froma family of bronc riders. My uncle JoeMarvel was the 1978World Champion, andmy grandpa John Holman won second in the world and everyone knows him. It’s in the blood for both sides of my family and I’ve got a lot to live up to. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered and how did you overcome it? Lefty: My biggest challenge was this past year on my permit, I went from high school to ProRodeo and that was a big jump and kind of whipped my butt the first couple of months. Then I got my first win in Woodlake, Calif., my hometown rodeo, and I split it with my rodeo coach, Ben Londo, and that was great. Then I got the ball rolling and won Santa Barbara, Calif., and was second in Cheyenne (Wyo.) at the rookie bronc riding. What do you hope to gain from traveling with 10-time WNFR saddle bronc rider Bradley Harter? Lefty: He’smade the Finals 10 times and that’smy goal, tomake theWNFR, and he said he wantsme to get there. He’s a good dude, and it’s hard for a young guy to go with young people who don’t knowwhat they’re doing andmake the Finals. It’smore than bucking horses, it’s themental part and traveling andmaking the schedule right. There’s a whole other business behind it that nobody knows about. How did you team up? Lefty: I’ve known hima few years, and he said when he was younger a veteran started traveling with him, and that’s when hemade the Finals and figured it out. Now, it’s his turn. Between now and the time you retire, what do you hope to achieve? Lefty: Winning the world is the highest you can go, my uncle Joe won the world. I want another world championship in our family. What’s your favorite band or musician?

Lefty: George Strait, and it depends on my mood, but I’ll listen to rap when driving all night or Tom Russell’s “Tonight We Ride.” My grandpa (John Holman) rode with Chris LeDoux, and he wrote some songs about him (Holman) like, “Hippies in Calgary.” (LeDoux) says “John” quite a bit in his songs. What’s your favorite movie? Lefty: Step Brothers What’s your favorite app on your phone? Lefty: Instagram Which three people, dead or alive, would you invite over for dinner? Lefty: Chris LeDoux, JohnWayne andmy grandpa, John Holman, he had some of the best stories from traveling with Chris and they are good to listen to. What’s the craziest rodeo superstition you’ve ever seen? Lefty: I don’t put my hat on the bed and I won’t write with a red pen. It’s just bad luck. I also know people who put their left sock on before their right sock. If you could go on a date with anyone, who would it be and where would you go? Lefty: Kate Upton, I’d take her to somewhere nice, the nicest place in town. What annoys you the most? Lefty: When I’mnot riding good or if you screw up a good horse.

LEFTY HOLMAN

ProRodeo Sports News 1/12/18

ProRodeo.com

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