Chase Brown at 2016 CPRA Finals – Jeff Frazell Photography
story by Kyle Eustice
Born in Great Bend, Kansas, 19-year-old Chase Brown moved to Hesston, Kansas with his mother Dana Brown, 47, and sister Allie Brown, 21. He attended Hesston High School and currently takes classes at Hutchinson Community College, where he’s studying Construction Science. When Chase was 15, he went to his first local rodeo in Newton, Kansas, and that was it.
“After that I was hooked and knew I had to become part of the rodeo world,” explained Chase. “When I told my mom, she wanted to see how serious I was and told me I would be responsible for all my own entry fees and equipment. I had friends from high school who introduced me to their youth organization and I began chute dogging. I paid for my own entry fees and started winning some checks. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has always been worth it.”
Chase’s first association was Heartland Youth Rodeo Association (HYRA), which he joined when he was 16. That was his way of easing into the competitive side of the sport.
“I didn’t have any experience, but had friends in the association,” said Chase. “I knew that there were people there that would help.”
After the HYRA, he joined the CPRA when he was 18. This time, he started bull riding.
“I had heard of the stock contractor and tried some of his events,” said Chase. “I liked the way they were ran, and the rodeos were local to me.”
Now strictly a bull rider, it’s quickly become his favorite event. The adrenaline rush he gets every time he gets in the pen is exhilarating.
“There is nothing better,” said Chase. “Trying to get in sync with an animal weighing 1500 pounds is thrilling. I like the friends I have made along the way, which include both riders and fighters. Rodeo guys are good guys always giving pointers and being supportive. There is a lot of camaraderie between us all. My rodeo family means a lot to me.”
Luckily, he also has the support of his mom and sister, who both attend every rodeo and film every ride. So far, his biggest accomplishment is placing second in chute dogging in the HYRA, but there’s a sense there’s more on the horizon.
“I have big goals for my rodeo career,” said Chase. “For starters I want to qualify for the finals next season. Overall, I just want to reach my full potential and be the best that I can be. If that allows me to enter into professional competitions that would be awesome. If that means that I stay with the association, build relationships, better my form, and help teach the new guys coming in, then that will be good, too.”
When he’s not competing or practicing, he’s hunting, fishing or woodworking. However, May through October, he travels almost every weekend, so his free time is limited. It takes dedication to be a great rodeo contestant.
“You have to have more try than anything,” said Chase. “It isn’t always about skill. When your attitude is positive, your mind is in the right place, and you put in your total effort the only thing that can happen is greatness.
“When I compete I don’t compete against the other bull riders,” added Chase. “We work together and only compete against our bulls. Sure at the end of the night the scores technically say we compete against each other, but really none of us feel that way. My favorite part about competing will always be the people at the rodeos.”