Of Cabbages and Kings
By LUELLA DOW
Contributor
Now, here's a family whose schedules revolve around the rodeo circuits. They belong to the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association that has members throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Kevin, father of Corey, Ryan and Kayle, grew up riding saddle broncs, roping calves and wrestling steers. His sons have followed the family tradition, each since the age of 5.
Corey competes in bull riding and bronc riding. Ryan last year was fourth in the world in bareback bronc riding. He won a collegiate national bareback title in 2004 while at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas.
Kayle is a bronc rider. In 2004 he won the Columbia River Circuit Championship in saddle bronc riding and is the current champion as well.
Ruth Gray said, “My great uncle, Burel Mulkey, was all-around champion in 1938 and world champion saddle bronc rider for 1937 and 1938. In 2005 we started our bucking horse programs from different breeding programs across the country.” Kayle, Ruth and Kevin have formed a partnership for the bucking horse business.
The Grays also have quarter horse brood mares. Ruth said, “We raise registered quarter horses and break them to ride.”
Three years ago Kevin Gray organized a benefit for the Washington State High School Rodeo at Cheney, furnishing the bucking horses.
The Grays have hosted at their home a number of young men on their way to rodeos. Among them is Kelly Timberman from Mills, Wyo. who is a past world champion. The Grays have hosted Justin McDaniel, who is a present world champion.
Ruth Gray has her own horse rescue project. She said, “I find good homes for them. With a little sleuthing she discovered the original owner for one horse. They were reunited. It was a happy ending to a sad story.
Caring for horses. Breeding and training them. The excitement of the ring and the roar of the crowd. The prizes that make it all worthwhile.
The Grays said, “It's a lot of fun.”
Luella Dow is a local author and can be reached at lotsaplots1@aol.com
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