National Top 10 fuels bigger ambitions for Meadow Lake bull rider

For Cockrum, however, chasing results has never been the reason he keeps climbing aboard another bull.

“Honestly, ever since I was born, there was never anything else on my mind. Always one thing I wanted to do, and I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. If there wasn’t money involved, I’d still be doing it just ‘cause I love it that much. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

That passion began at home.

“I think because my dad used to do it, and I was growing up, you always wanted to be like your dad. You think he’s Superman. So I think I always just kind of wanted to be like my dad.”

It wasn’t long before he began following the same path, starting with sheep riding at the Meadow Lake Rodeo before progressing to calves, steers, junior bulls and eventually professional competition.

“I used to get on the sheep back when I was about five in the Meadow Lake Rodeo back in the day. After that, I got on a calf a couple years later. I think I won the calf riding one year, and then on the steers and then junior bulls, and now I’m on the big bulls.”

While Cockrum has already established himself among Canada’s top riders, his sights are set much higher.

“I wanna be a world champion, no doubt about it,” he said, referring to the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Champion title.

That ambition extends beyond championship buckles. Although his highest score so far is 86.5 points, Cockrum said every bull rider chases another milestone each time the chute gate opens.

“Everybody wants to be 90 points, and that’s always the goal every time you nod your head.”

Reaching those goals starts long before competition day.

“To feel prepared when I’m gonna go riding, I usually like to go to the gym during the week and get on a few practice bulls. Me and another buddy from town, Marshall Senger, own a couple bucking bulls, and they stay at his house, and we’ll buck during the midweek and whatnot, get on practice bulls, try and improve ourselves.”

Physical preparation is only part of the process.

“Usually I’m just trying to keep calm and have confidence in myself and just believe that I can do it, like I know I can.”

Once the chute gate opens, though, he leaves that calm behind.

“I would say aggressive,” Cockrum said when asked to describe his riding style. “I try and be as aggressive as I can, and I really like the bulls away from my hand and … I really hit the front end as hard as I can and try and get over ’em.”

As he continues chasing both higher standings and his long-term goal of becoming a world champion, Cockrum said the support he receives from Meadow Lake has never gone unnoticed.

“It’s great to have all the people back home just support me and always wondering what I’m up to, how I’m doing. And it’s great to see that they have so much interest in it, and I thank them all for the support. I couldn’t do it without them.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

National Top 10 fuels bigger ambitions for Meadow Lake bull rider

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