Brad A. Gower, 36 years old from Bristow. He puts in a hard day's work as a heavy equipment operator for the City of Bristow, where he has been working for the last five years. Brad then comes home to his family, wife Samantha , four sons Hunter, Jim, Bobby, his mini-me Rodie and a granddaughter Wrenlee. Brad's favorite hobbies outside of spending time with his family are hog hunting, deer hunting and fishing. Brad still finds time for his passion, bareback bronc riding. With all that he is making quite the name for himself in the rodeo arena.
Brad has been riding for 17 years, during which time he also ventured out to riding bulls and even going as far as a bullfighter. His passion has remained with his bareback bronc riding. When asked about his injuries throughout his career in rodeo, he stated he had three serious injuries within one year. These injuries included being kicked in the face, then within three months of that he had a horse flip over with him causing a broken pelvis and broken hip. I asked him what made him want to get back on and ride again after injuries like that, his response will let you know just what kind of drive and determination this Cowboy has. His reply to me was, 'After an injury like that and making it this far, I couldn't just watch videos and give up, I started it, I was going to finish it.'
Mr. 'Bad Brad' Gower rode his dreams right to the ACRA finals this month in Tulsa, ranking the number two Bareback Bronc rider. He had 13 wins in 2022 including a score of 75 giving him the win in El Reno. The finals ran January 19ththroughthe21st. Round one of the finals he scored a 73 on the same horse that he placed second on in the first round last year. Round two of the finals he drew a horse they call 'Dinner Date' which he scored a 70 on moving him to the number two spot. Round three this Cowboy scored a 76 which made him third for the night and fourth in the average. I would definitely say we can call this young man a veteran Cowboy.
courtesy photo