By Magie Downares-Nevius
A second-round win at the 2014 KPRA Finals put Cody Leggett in a neck-and-neck race for the year-end title in the ranch bronc riding, but luck was not in the draw and Cody finished his season third in the average and third in the year-end standings with a total of over $1,400 in earnings. “It all came down to one horse. My plan this year is to make it back to the finals and try to win the year-end,” he said. Starting his second year with the organization on the track toward his goal, Cody has worked his way to a position in the top two. “I like the KPRA, because it is one of the very few rodeo associations that sanction my event, outside of the typical associations,” he said.
Rich in bronc riding heritage, Cody’s maternal uncles (Rod and Rick Robison) both handled the hack rein within the KPRA and Cody credits Rick for his beginning. “Rick was retired for about 17 years and then cracked back out the last couple summers. He got me talked into going with him and I picked it up from there,” he said. Establishing his career in the Beauty and the Beast rodeo held in Stapleton, Nebr., Cody has been riding for the past couple of years and extends his competition to open ranch bronc ridings.
All the same, Cody has been a cowboy his whole life. “I don’t know anything different. It’s all I’ve ever been around,” he said. Growing up in Kansas, Cody was exposed to his western legacy through his grandpa, dad and uncles, who all shoed horses and brought Cody up around agriculture. His living as a cowboy, outside of the arena, places him as a ranch hand. “I look after 250 head of our own and an additional 500 pairs of pasture cattle,” he explained. He and his new bride (Jordyn) were married in April and have made a home north of Brady, Nebr., where Jordyn enjoys running barrels at local jackpots.
With a bright future ahead, Cody remains grounded to his roots and those who have laid the tracks. “I am very privileged to have the support from my parents and wife, which enables me to ride broncs. Along with my wife, my parents (Mark and Rachelle) drive to all of my rodeos and my dad is always behind the chutes to help me,” Cody said.