Catching up with Clint Laye and JR Vezain
By now, if you follow the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association, or Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, you have probably heard of the Flow Riders. Known for their flowing mane, RC Landingham, Clint Laye and JR Vezain are some of the best Bareback riders of the sport. Though they have recently cut their locks off, they will still be known for their wild rides and rank spurring.
Currently it’s been just JR and Clint hitting the trail, RC will be back after Easter as he has taken some time off due to a rib injury. While RC has been away, Clint has been kicking ass and taking names. I really feel like its his year to shine which is really exciting for our Canadian from Cadogan, Alberta! Clint most recently won Rodeo Austin with a 88 and a check worth $9,803. And just before that he was second at Rodeo Houston taking home a whopping $24, 250. Sadly in the PRCA that (Rodeo Houston) doesn’t count towards world standings like it does in the WPRA, shooting barrel racer Nancy Hunter to first place with her rodeo count being just 1! Regardless, Clint is on a hot streak and is currently sitting inside the Top 15! #Canadasgotgame
JR is no stranger to being at the top. He has qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo twice and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo three times! This winter he’s cashed in roughly $10,000, but I have no doubt his season will pick up and we will see him in Vegas yet again!
How long have each of you been riding for, and how did you get into rodeo and riding bareback?
Clint – I started riding the spur board and working at it when is was 14 got on my first horse when I was 15, my whole family is a rodeo based family. Billy Laye was a bareback rider, he taught me how to ride and still helps guide me.
JR – I rode sheep and steers since I was 4, and when I was too old to ride steers and didn’t have a helmet for bulls, I decided to be bareback rider. All I have ever wanted to be was a cowboy never wanted to be a football player or any other kind of athlete. I have always lived & breathed Cowboy.
How did you all start travelling together?
“We first met each other at the National High School Finals in 2010, JR was a Senior I (Clint) was a sophomore. A couple of years later when we were going pro we had the same travel plans with Canada and the US so it worked out and we’ve been best pards ever since.”
List of Accomplishments
Clint – 2x CFR qualifier, 2x Calgary Stampede Qualifier, Jackson Mississippi Champ.
JR – 2009 High School National Champ, 2010 Montana Circuit All Around Champ, 2011 Resistol Rookie of the Year & College National Champ, 2012 Canadian Champ, 2x CFR qualifier, 3x NFR qualifier.
2015 Accomplishments thus far:
Clint – 2nd place 25g winner at Rodeo Houston, Colorado vs World 10g winner, Rodeo Austin Champion, Casper Wyoming champ.
JR – 10g so far, making it a decent winter.
Do you miss home ever?
“Being in Texas for two months made us miss home this winter. We love being entered up and keeping busy so we don’t usually miss it too much. When we go home after three days we end up missing the road.”
What has been your favourite town you’ve been through?
Clint – I really like traveling through or in California in the spring, get a taste of the sunshine.
JR – Lamar Colorado because that means I’m headed north and the years about to start.
Favourite Rodeo to ride at?
Clint – I like riding at Calgary Stampede because it’s right after the 4th and I get a break to relax and ride at home. Wainwright is hometown rodeo.
Clint at the 2014 Calgary Stampede. Photo by Mike Copeman
JR – San Juan California, San Antonio, Pendleton, Calgary Stampede, besides the NFR and Canadian Finals. Cody Wyoming is really good to because it’s hometown rodeo.
Most memorable ride thus far in your careers?
Clint – When I rode Power Play of Andrews the other night at Austin, because it’s a big strong bucker and I felt like I earned it.
JR – First and Tenth round that I won of my first NFR, and when I spurred Dirty Jacket and won San Antonio.
Whats it like living in a van most of the year with 2-3 dudes?
“Living out of our van is pretty awesome. We have a tv and Xbox in there. We love it! It means we’re rodeoing and doing what we love.”
How do you keep in shape and eat healthy while on the road?
“We pay for drop-ins or day passes at gyms in town we pass through. We are currently getting hooked on a new meal plan from Gavin Glye to help out, and we take a lot of vitamins. We’ve both completely quit drinking and seen that makes a huge difference with making us feel better.”
What sort of tips do you guys have for keeping a sharp mental game that you could pass on to barrel racers?
“We read some mental books including Mind Gym and stay positive towards everything. We help each other to keep up. The harder that you work the better results you will see is what it boils down to. Stay on top of everything.”
What are your goals for the 2015 season?
“Our goals are set very high for this year. Three of us chasing #goldbuckledreams in Vegas. Don’t ever set your goal to make the NFR or CFR, you have to shoot higher. Make it the Canadian Title, or World Title.”
What are your future plans for when you hang up your rigging?
Clint – My future plans are always changing, but I like to work with wood and build. Maybe I would build houses one day.
JR – I want to own a winter place in Arizona where I can raise train and sell performance horses, and a place back at home with cattle. Have both of my places making me money, and to raise a family starting my own generation of red-headed cowboys.
Who is the better singer?
“JR sings the most.. like every song that comes on, but sounds like a pack of dogs barking.”
“Clint on the other hand sounds like mixture of Fergie and Jesus, but doesn’t sing as much.”
Clint and JR on their hunting trip last fall
Who snores the loudest?
“We are both very peaceful sleepers and don’t snore. It’s beautiful.”
What is your favourite brand of Cowboy Boots?
Clint – I wear almost all girl boots to ride in because they are lighter, Toni Lamas at the time but pretty much whatever looks sharp.
JR – I wear Barstows because they fit my foot really well, are single stitched, and have a good strong riding heel because I spur hard!
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Clint is sponsored by Wrangler and Bozco, while JR is sponsored by Barstow, Wapiti Ridge Outfitters, and Pan Good Trucking.
Be sure to follow their Facebook Page The Flow Riders to see how they’re doing, and where they will be next!
Cassie
