Grant LaHaye is a busy man this time of year, running the LaHaye Bucking Bulls which will put on the Bull Bash show at the Allen County Fair Friday and Saturday night.
The LaHaye Bucking Bulls have put on the rodeo at the Allen County Fair the last five years as well as countless other rodeos around Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. This year’s show will feature around 30 bulls and riders from all over the region.
As an Iolan, LaHaye said the Allen County Fair is his favorite.
“I feel like of all of the rodeos I go to, this is by far the most fun one for me,” LaHaye said. “The crowd is always great, the town always comes out together and makes it work out. We get good sponsors to help everything go round. This is definitely my favorite one.”
LaHaye’s business is a full-time, year-round job that takes a lot of work getting the bulls in riding condition and lining up riders for the rodeos. LaHaye said the key is to have a good mix of bulls, with some more aggressive and others more rider-friendly.
“You try to bring in the best bulls and the best riders and try to entertain the crowd,” said LaHaye. “Trying to keep the riders happy is a full-time job. Having a good set of bulls to get on is one thing I really strive for. The big thing is just keeping good bulls around, it’s nice to have some that buck really hard and then some that are more rider-friendly.”
The enthusiasm for rodeos has allowed LaHaye to take his business to a number of places and share the thrills of bullriding with the crowds.
THE RODEO season is from February until the fall.
“We started in February and it’s been steady since then,” LaHaye said. “It seems like we’re going somewhere just about every weekend. We’ve probably gone to 15 rodeos so far this year.”
LaHaye’s father began the business when his bull riding career was coming to an end. Grant has kept the tradition alive, especially in his hometown.
The thrill of watching a bull ride is unlike any other sporting event. A bull rider must hold on for eight seconds and keep one arm in the air while the other holds a rope on the bull’s back. The adrenaline rush for both the rider and the crowd is special for LaHaye.
“I think it gives everyone a big adrenaline rush and they want to see the action,” said LaHaye. “Everyone loves the rodeo but they always want to watch the bull riding most. It’s a pretty rewarding feeling seeing a bull buck well or a rider hang on for a while.
“A good crowd cheering on definitely helps the riders,” LaHaye said. “They can sort of feed off each other’s energy.”
The mutton busting will begin the festivities both nights which will be followed by the bull ride.
LaHaye’s Bucking Bulls Bull Bash will begin on Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Riverside Park.
