Young calf rider wins reserve champion honors

By Gary Raham
Wellington Correspondent

Nine-year old C.J. (Cooper Jordan) Ellis has learned valuable lessons early in life, and those lessons earned him the title of 2004 junior bull riding reserve national champion for calf riding in Shawnee, Okla., on Nov. 7.

"Try your hardest," C.J. says, "and don't quit 'til your hand hits the ground. But always have fun."

C.J. found himself in eighth place among 41 competitors after each boy completed two rides. Only the top 10 advance to the "short go." He won the short go with 76 out of a possible 100 points by riding the "rankest" calf in the pen - one who tried to belly roll C.J. off his back several times. That raised his point total to 144, just three short of the total garnered by the champion. His prizes included a belt buckle, riding glove, protective riding vest, a handsome medal and a cash award.

C.J.'s skill and determination have taken him to state championships in the Mountain States Junior Bull Riding Association competitions in 2002 and 2003. Riders in this organization, headquartered in Galeton, come from both Colorado and Wyoming. But C.J. doesn't limit himself to calf riding. He also placed third in the world this year in the Little Britches Finals Rodeo for Little Wranglers goat tail untying.

It all started with "mutton busting." Six-year-olds often start their rodeo careers riding sheep. C.J. saw such an event during an intermission in the fall Wild Bunch Bull Riding Series held at the Sundance Steakhouse and Saloon in Fort Collins several years ago and was hooked. Beginning in 2000, he began collecting championships and trophies riding frisky sheep.

Now C.J. plans to move up to riding yearling steers--700-pound animals with an attitude. He's also been working on roping techniques. Finding the time and means to practice is one difficult part of competing. For the moment, he gets practice on a dad-powered bucking barrel - a process that can wear out both competitor and coach.

This past year C.J. competed in 38 rodeos and 20 Little Britches events. His list of achievements fills a page. "After each event I learned from my mistakes," he says, which accounts for a large part of his success.

With C.J.'s older sister in Little Britches, and his younger brother busting mutton, the Ellis clan spends lots of time on the road. "During the summer we live like gypsies," says Kim Ellis, his mother, a large animal nurse supervisor at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. They enjoy the fellowship of several other families patrolling the same circuit.

When not on the road, C.J. attends third grade at Eyestone Elementary. One might find him in the cafeteria, as eating is one of his favorite school activities and riding calves uses up loads of energy.

For those who have the means and interest to support a champion, sponsors are always welcome. The Ellis riders can be reached at 568-9005.