Local bull rider eyes world title
By Melissa Piche Times Contributor
Local junior bull rider Kaelym Bissett-Luyendyk has his sights set for the YETI Junior World Finals, Dec. 7-16 in Las Vegas.
The Grade 9 student from Crowther Memorial Junior High School, who began riding just this past March, is on a rare trajectory in the sport.
He earned his way to the finals by placing first or second within his association (Crooked Horn Canadian Junior Rodeo Association).
Bissett-Luyendyk’s journey to bull riding success began when finally, his mom let him ride.
“I got into it from seeing other people do it, thinking to myself ‘hey I want to try doing that – that looks fun.’ That’s how it all started,” said the 14-year-old. “I tried it and I found out I was pretty good at it and I liked it a lot.”
Bissett-Luyendyks said there are so many great aspects of the sport, but the things he loves the most are, “the people, the places. Those are my two favourite things about it.”
As with any high-level sport, Bissett-Luyendyk said he’s had support from knowledgeable pro bull riders such as Osman Alvarez and Scott Schiffner. Both have played an integral role in helping Bissett-Luyendyk develop his bull riding skills.
He said his first buckle win at the Irricana rodeo this past year was a memory he won’t soon forget.
“It’s kinda unreal how I’ve been riding for so little amount of time and I’ve made it pretty far,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting.”
He attended Schiffner’s bull riding clinic in the past and is looking forward to it this fall and again this spring.
Bissett-Luyendyk isn’t new to the rodeo world; he started riding sheep when he was little and of course, the wild pony races. His grandfather David Luyendyk was a bareback rider in the 90s and early 2000s, so rodeo was always something that was a part of his life growing up.
Attending an event like the World Juniors in Las Vegas is not something to be taken lightly. Bissett-Luyendyk is hoping that with some community support, and perhaps a sponsor or two, his dreams of winning will become a reality.
“I’d like to inspire other kids that want to ride and help them out and do anything I can,” he said. “I’ve had people help me out that have been real good at riding.”
The Junior World Finals takes place December 7-16 in Las Vegas and a full schedule of events can be found online (www.nfrexperience.com/juniorworldfinals).
If you would like to connect with Bissett-Luyendyk on a sponsorship level or just to say good luck, he can be reached via email (kbissettl@icloud.com).