Stroh shows great promise in first year of Saddle Bronc riding

Like father, like son is an overused cliche.

For example, both of Michael Jordan's sons played basketball in college but neither lived up to the hype as their father did.

Many sports can be taught. Rodeo is in the blood.

Hailing from Dickinson, ND, 17-year-old Boyd Stroh is the son of Shawn and Shannon Stroh.

Shawn has been a part of the National Finals Rodeo for 26 years.

Boyd took the Phillips County Fair by storm this year.

In a stable full of horses with plenty of attitude, Stroh was the only rider to have a qualified time.

Riding in the Saddle Bronc category, Stroh looks like he has been competing for years and years, though this is his first year in competition.

Though he is young to the sport in terms of experience Stroh was excited to enter the arena in a homecoming of sorts.

"I'm kind of excited," he told the PCN. "I remember coming here and watching dad get on all the time."

He continued saying that he came to the fair not realizing where he was until he saw the grandstands.

"I was like, hey I've been here," he said smiling.

In his inaugural year of Saddle bronc riding, Stroh has been to a few arenas including the High School National Rodeo last month in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

He placed 11th.

His favorite thing about riding isn't the traveling.

"I enjoy working hard, all of the hours I put in at practice and all of it falling together, making a qualified ride and getting somewhere."

He practices and conditions five to six days a week.

After this year, his senior year, Stroh plans to ride broncs for a college of his choosing.

"I've been to nationals twice now and last year I had 11 college offers for full rides and this year I've had 15.

Still having one more year of school, he hasn't quite narrowed down the list just yet.

His younger brother was supposed to ride bulls and broncs at the fair, but he was out due to medical reasons.

For that reason, Shawn got to ride two horses at the fair. He lasted the first round for eight seconds and scored 68 points. His second ride did not qualify.

"I just want to follow in my dad's footsteps and make it to the NFR," he said.

If he rides, like he did at the Phillips County Fair, he will have no problem getting in.