CLEARLAKE — Seven-year-old Raymond Mayo is currently seeking sponsorship for competition in the Young Bull Riders 2008 World Finals, to be held in Texas this coming August. Mayo, a Pomo Elementary School student, was invited to the competition on a wildcard draw and is looking forward to competing for the world title.
Mayo used to enjoy playing soccer and baseball but ever since his friend introduced him to the rodeo life, all his attention has been focused on bull riding. He has a year”s experience under his belt and has won three championship buckles so far. “I never thought he would get into this,” said his mother Diane Mayo, who is a kindergarten teacher at Pomo. “But one of his friends turned him onto it and now he”s hooked on bull riding.”
Mayo hasn”t quite graduated to actual “bull” riding yet. After making his first exhibition ride in April 2007 on muttons in Lincoln, however, there was no turning back. “After that date Ray knew this sport was for him and he put his heart and soul into learning the sport of bull riding on mutton,” his mother said.
Mayo took first place in his first official ride as a member of the Western Regional Bull Riders Association (WRBRA), winning the Keith Wilson Memorial 2007 buckle. He continued to hone in on his mutton technique, practicing every weekend riding sheep around his backyard. His dedication paid off in August 2007 when he won his second and third buckles placing first at Middletown Days and winning the series No. 4 buckle for the WRBRA.
Between May and October 2007, Mayo earned a total of 1,040 points, which placed third in the WRBRA. “He was able to gain third place even after staring four rodeos behind his competitors,” Diane Mayo said. “When the regional finals in October came to a close, Ray placed five points behind second place.”
During the time Mayo was “mutton bustin,” he also rode calves for exhibition at each rodeo he attended. He now practices on calves and has attended calf clinics in Sheridan and in Marysville, where he was coached by professional bull riders. He has now moved up in his division and competes on calves and hopes to continue the sport and become a full-fledge bull rider.
Mayo”s mother is pleased with the effect bull riding has had on her son. She said he”s more confident and independent now. “I”ve seen him kind of grow up a lot in past year. He more mature,” she explained. “What I like about the kids and the association he”s with is that they stress family first, school second and bull riding third, in that order.”
The Western Regional Bull Riders Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the great sport of bull riding. The goal of the organization is to hold 15 bull riding event this year throughout California and possibly into Nevada with regional finals scheduled for November.
The association depends on sponsorship to ensure its success. Sponsors of the program receive two free passes for WRBRA event of the sponsor”s choice; name listing in the WRBRA”s official newsletter, Competitor News, which is published bi-weekly throughout 11 western states; name listing on the WRBRA”s official Web site; and invitation to the annual awards banquet/dinner/finals. Sponsors are also announced at the event in which the contestant is competing.
Raymond Mayo and his family would like to thank his current sponsors, which include the Clearlake Sears store, Perfect Printers and Dave”s Hay Barn. If you would like to sponsor Mayo in his bull riding career, contact Diane Mayo at 533-0490. Contributions may also be sent directly to the family at PO Box 723, Clearlake, CA 95422.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
