STOUGHTON - Kaden Piper is a 16-year-old youth who will start Grade 11 at Stoughton Central School in the fall, but he is no ordinary youth, because he rides bulls.
Piper lives on the cattle ranch of his parents, Chris and Jaycee, which is located northeast of Stoughton. He has three older brothers, Kienen, Cale and Karson.
Kienen and Cale, the two oldest brothers, found a rodeo called Little Spurs in Weyburn, which was hosted by Blade and Becky Young. Piper was eight years old at the time and this was his first experience with riding.
At an early age, they ride cows and then graduate up to riding bulls when they get older. Piper is grateful to the Youngs for hosting this event, as this is how it all started for the young rider.
Piper’s brothers only rode for a while, but Piper was hooked, and eight years later still loves it.
According to Piper, one needs balance, strength, mental preparedness, physical strength, determination and dedication in the dangerous sport.
Piper uses an exercise ball at home to work on his balance, but to stay in shape he plays basketball, volleyball, soccer, badminton, golf, and track and field. This all keeps him in shape for riding bulls.
He also goes to Grady and Davis Youngs’ farm, as they have a practice pen, and contractor Cody Strandquist also has a practice pen.
This summer Piper rode in the Manor Professional Bull Riders event. He drew a good bull and only knew the bull was young.
“He was super sweet and flat,” he said.
Piper kept his mind in the and got an eight-second ride, for a score of 75.5, which gave him the win.
Piper rode again in Arcola. This time he was able to ask a contractor about the bull he was going to ride. He was informed that this bull was getting good.
The bull kicked out of the chute, did five jumps, and wrapped it up into a spin and into Piper’s hand.
Although Piper slipped slightly, he stuck with the black beast to make the eight-second ride and score a 74. Piper would win Arcola with this ride and take home the buckle.
Piper’s sponsors, Danny and Crystal Blackburn, were on hand to see Piper’s win.
This young man has ridden in Alberta and Manitoba, and just competed at the National High School Rodeo in Gillette, Wyo. His rides were zero for two, and lasting six seconds. He hopes to go back next year stronger and better, and to get his nerves under control.
High school rodeos begin now, and it is Piper’s hope to win scholarship money to put away for college.
The equipment needed to ride a bull is also important and expensive. With spurs, helmets, gloves, chaps, rowels, rosins, tape and a mouth guard, this is all needed and required for riding a bull.
Piper has his plans for the future. Once he graduates, it is his plan to go south. Texas, Wyoming, or Montana are where he would like to head so he can ride year-round.
While attending college, he will continue to improve his riding skills through a coach to get him riding stronger and better bulls.
After a year or two, Piper may return to Canada to do the Bull Riders Canada event and get his Professional Bull Riders Canada card, depending on where his skills are at and how he feels.
It is Piper’s dream to continue with riding bulls as long as he is able.
