Stetson Lawrence, a professional bull rider with Chippewa Sioux Native American heritage, has been competing on the professional bull riders tour for over seven years. He is ranked among the top 25 bull riders worldwide. Over the years, bulls have become more intelligent, developing new techniques to unseat riders. Stetson’s passion for the sport and respect for the animals have enabled him to master the art of bull riding, savoring each moment as if it were his last.
In March 2022, while competing in the Global Cup in Arlington, Texas, Stetson Lawrence landed on his head, resulting in numbness in both arms. Given a previous neck fracture from the year before, a doctor advised him to consult a spine specialist. The specialist had difficult news: another head impact could almost certainly paralyze him from the neck down. This was unexpected and initially devastating for Stetson. Despite his strong desire to finish the year’s tour circuit, Stetson was grateful to be part of the competition and end his career at the top of his game.
805 Beer premiered its latest documentary, “Another Eight Seconds,” directed by Keith Malloy, which tells Stetson Lawrence’s detailed story. The film explores Stetson’s journey to becoming a nine-time PBR world finals qualifier despite personal tragedies and major injuries. ”Another Eight Seconds” offers insight into Stetson’s childhood, rodeo culture, and the crucial support from his family and community. Dustin Hinz, CMO of Firestone Walker Brewing Company, highlighted that the film aligns with the brand’s core values of skill, passion, and mental fortitude. The documentary is part of 805 Beer Films’ ongoing project to showcase inspiring stories from their ambassadors, including upcoming projects featuring singer-songwriter The White Buffalo, musician Frank Zummo, and athletes Tyler Bereman and Vicki Golden. I’m happy that Stetson agreed to speak about the ins and outs of bull riding and what he’s done during retirement.
Grayson Mask: What was it like growing up in North Dakota?
Stetson Lawrence: I definitely took it for granted at the time, but really treasure the western lifestyle and open ranges that North Dakota offered. I grew up specifically in Williston, North Dakota, which was about an hour away from any other highly-populated town. At the time, I think the town population was about a couple hundred people. We had a local river bed where me and my brother would go swimming on hot summer days. We also would ride horses at a young age and just explore the pastures.
GM: Did your dad support your originally interest into bull riding?
SL: I grew up in a rodeo family with my parents and grandparents having experience in the rodeo. My father was supportive when I entered in high school competitions within the Trenton area and especially when I showed early promise by winning those competitions. However, I didn’t honestly expect to get fame outside of my local community.
GM: Was it tough to commit yourself to bull riding full-time?
SL: I originally was working full-time in construction and then was most recently was working in an oilfield for about 2.5 years. I was leaving every weekend to ride bulls, which was an issue for my employer. They mentioned that I would have to choose between my career and bull riding, so I moved forward with riding. It might have been a little nerve-racking, but I knew it wasn’t something I could turn from.
GM: Can you prepare a lot for riding a bull or do you need physical exercise?
SL: It’s definitely important to have a diverse workout routine to stay physically healthy for an extreme sport like this. I will mix up having some days more dedicated to cardio and some to resistance or lifting weights. The act of bull riding is also 90% mental, so it’s crucial for me to maintain a positive mindset and not allow stressors to impact my ride.
GM: What are the leagues and circuits like for a newbie?
The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) is the world’s largest bull riding league and has 12 circuits. Contestants can choose their circuit based on their home address or preference; if they don’t, the PRCA will assign them to the circuit that matches their home address. The tournament-style DNCFR/RNFCR determines the national circuit champions in each event.
GM: Are there any projects you have after your retirement of this sport?
I wanted to really train the newest generation of bull riders and found success at the rodeo program at MSU College. It’s allowed me to retain a connection to bull riding and help riders be precautious for potential injuries. It’s also helped me become even more optimistic of the future behind this sport, with more universities dedicated resources to similar programs.
