RIDGE RIDERSEVERY
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SECOND
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Meet The Ridge Riders team.
Luciano De Castro is currently ranked #4 in the world with laser-focus on the #1 spot. This rider lives, breathes, and loves the sport of bull riding. While most little boys’ fantasies were around soccer back in his home town of Sao Paulo, Brazil, his dream has always been bull riding.
His dad rode and raised bulls and each rodeo event they went to together, Luciano’s determination to become the best professional bull rider, grew. Working on a farm at the age of 14, he was able to buy his own bull riding gear and practice on his dad’s bull at home. Word spread fast of how good he was and the locals would come watch him practice. Turning pro by age 16, Luciano was awarded Rookie of the Year at his very first rodeo.
Born to bull ride, he quickly achieved his next goal to move to and compete in the United States of America. Not the language barrier. Not the more difficult bulls. And not even knee surgery that took him out of the arena for six months can stop Luciano.
His deeply rooted family values instilled in him by his parents when he was young have grown stronger with his own family (wife, Isabella and two kids). Luciano remembers advice from his dad: be humble and win with humility…and have a lot of faith in God. Luciano describes “the ride” in eight words: grit, love, focus, sadness, winning, goal, gratitude, and dream. We describe him in these eight words: Determined. Humble. Romantic. Determined. Faithful. Sensitive. Strong. Focused.
Brazilian Native, Eduardo Aparecido, is from Gouvelandia, Goiás, but now calls Decatur, Texas home. Married with three kids, this “all-in” rider is inspired by his family and anchored by his faith to overcome anything – even the most challenging and difficult situations like riding bucking bulls.
Ranked #14 in the world, Eduardo rode his first bull at age 15 and was competing professionally at 16 in Brazil. As a child all he wanted was to build a stable life. His first aspiration was to become a professional soccer player. Until his first ride. Then he knew he was destined to be a bull rider.
Strong family values shape who Eduardo is personally and professionally. Growing up on a farm with his mom, dad, sister and brother, life wasn’t always easy, but from struggle comes strength. Each day he wakes up and looks at his kids and wife, is his best day. He’s overflowing with gratitude that he’s healthy, what he’s accomplished so far, and all the blessings that are on the way.
The unique relationship between Eduardo and the bull he rides is part of why he’s so good at it. “The bull is my friend. I have to be good for him so he does a good job for me.” – Eduardo Aparecido. He also holds on to the best advice he received from his dad: When in the U.S. regardless of the difficulties, stay strong, trust in God, and everything will be alright.
So when you hear music by Madalima, Casiani come on, Eduardo is about to leave the chute. He describes the ride in 8 words: Love. Feel-Good. Aspire. Dream. Strength. Belief. Happiness. Proud. We describe him in these 8 words: Strong. Family. Grateful. Faith. Determined. Fearless. Positive. Provider.
Marco Eguchi, Brazilian native from Poa, Sao Paulo, now calls Decatur, Texas home. With experience as a bull rider team captain, his strong faith in God and solid family values guide him through the sport. Riding since age 14 and professionally competing since 16, Marco always knew he would grow up to be a Piyoung – a cowboy. His love started with horses and he worked hard as a teen to earn money to pay for all his horse expenses. Although he was a city boy, the ranch life called to him, always feeling like his true home.
Winning the world finals in 2018, Marco Eguchi never gives up. Even if the ride is good, he’s still working to improve and learn. With a mutual respect for the bull, he sees the animal as an athlete just like himself. Not long ago, Marco came face-to-face with the inconspicuous danger of the sport when a bull stepped on him. Despite multiple injuries and a broken face, in just two weeks he was back to normal again and ready to ride.
Moments before he comes out of the gate, there won’t be music playing like other riders do. Instead, Marco uses this time for deep concentration and praying – always keeping a positive mindset. Marco describes the ride in these eight words: A Dance, balance, strength, mental, focus, reaction, calm, and encouraged. We describe him as: Positive. Faith. Perfectionist. Strong. Respect. Values.
Keyshawn grew up in Utah in a tightknit, traditional Navajo family. Now calling McCracken Spring, UT home, his spirituality, relentless preparation, and drive to be the best version of himself personally and professionally has laid the foundation for win after win. With a dream of becoming one of the best riders in the world, Keyshawn also wants to impact the lives of others around him.
Keyshawn’s dream has always been to ride bulls. At age five, he watched bull riding with his dad on TV for the first time. The very next day his dad bought him his first pair of spurs and eventually signed him up for a training clinic. As the 2018 Rookie of the Year, with 16 PBR career wins, and on his way to a million dollars in winnings, Bull riding is who Keyshawn Whitehorse is – where he belongs.
So what’s the secret to Keyshawn’s 8 second ride? Preparation. Mentally and physically. Just moments before he leaves the chute, Keyshawn keeps his mind blank, repeats a few key affirmations over and over before the gate opens because once it does, there’s no more control. Just your skill, your will, and God.
Keyshawn has a great love and respect for bulls. He recognizes the bull’s unlimited amount of athletic ability, but also knows the softer side of bulls. Owning bulls at his house he sees them relax and twiddle their ears with a great calmness in their eyes.
Keyshawn describes the ride in eight words: Aggressive. Dance. Flow. Strong. Discipline. Gratitude. Dream. Ambition.
We describe Keyshawn in these eight words: Honest. Brave. Strong. Poetic. Spiritual. Likeable. Determined. Heart.
Brazilian native, Paulo Lima, is from Bezerros, Pernambuco, but now calls Terrell, Texas home while competing here in the United States of America. With a beautiful wife, Maria, and his 5-year-old daughter Flor, Paulo is a family man with a deep faith in God. In the rodeo he’s a fearless rider who doesn’t see the sport as dangerous – just normal.
For Paulo his dream has always been bull riding – nothing else. A dream that his dad started for him. His father never rode bulls but he did work with bulls on the farm. Ever since Paulo was a small child he told him, "Paulo, you will become a famous bull rider."" Growing up, this is all Paulo knew: he was destined to ride bulls. At age 8 he started training, at age 14 he rode his first big bull, and at 16 he won his first rodeo.
To date Paulo has earned nearly a million dollars in PBR prize money, with his most notable number 1 win as the PBR Iron Cowboy bringing in over $126,000 in winnings (riding Woopaa - a well-known bull).
So how does he prepare? You won’t find Paulo in a gym. Instead he loves to run as his training. Nutrition plays a big role too.
For Paulo Lima, the bull represents everything to him. Everything that he has, the bull gave to him. Following his dad’s advice, Paulo looks forward to the new team format with the Arizona Ridge Riders -- "You need to be honest and never use anyone like a step and be right with everything. Follow the good things. Be honest and do the right things."
Paulo describes the ride in 8 words: Passion. Brave. Determination. Drive. Nighttime. Friendship. Family. Money.
We describe Paulo in these 8 words: Fearless. Faith. Family. Likeable. Unwavering. Strong. Team-Player. Honest.
Alisson De Souza, Brazilian native raised in Sao Paulo, Taubaté, is the winner of the 2017 Brazil championship and now calls Decatur, Texas home as he embarks on the PBR tour as a Ridge Rider. Always watching, learning, and asking questions, Alisson has a smart approach to the sport he has dreamed of since he was a little boy. With the mindset to never think that what you are doing is good enough and to always improve, this Chipotle-loving, motorcyclin’ Ridge Rider is all about the ride and the limits to which he can push himself.
Alisson’s unique connection with his brother fuels his passion for the sport. Not only because he’s a twin, but because his brother, Alan de Souza, is also a champion bull rider winning Barretos, the largest rodeo in Brazil along with some PBR championships under his belt. Call it twin magic or fearless talent, Alisson loves the bull because it was the bull that made him love the sport.
Living half the time in Brazil with his 5-year-old son, the great sacrifice he’s making to pursue his dream in the United States of America as a professional bull rider will pay off. His words to describe the ride: Love. Passion. Professionalism. Dedication. Will. Our words to describe Alisson De Souza: Eager. Humble. Fearless. Tough. Faith.
Brazilian native from Gavião Peixoto in São Paulo, Mauricio Moreira, currently ranks #8 in the world. Young and hungry yet with maturity and an affable confidence, his vision is to be the Neymar, Jr. of the Ridge Riders. With stardom running through his blood, his dream is to have a million followers and be the best on the team. Through strong family values and support along with God’s grace, Mauricio is living his dream of competing in the United States of America.
He started riding at just 8 years old starting on calves until he was older. His dad was a bull rider and made Mauricio his very own arena to train. When he turned 18 he put his knee to the ground and spoke to God, “I need this; keep it going. I need this one thing.” He started riding horses on a rope team and working out – this is when his bull riding skills and dreams advanced. Now, win after win, this Whataburger lovin’ rider has already earned nearly a half a million dollars in PBR winnings.
For Mauricio, the bull represents history and heritage: “The money comes and goes, but the history and stories, they stay.” Mauricio’s 8 words to describe the ride: God please take me out of this arena unhurt. And here’s our 8 words to describe him: Old Soul, Confident, Fearless, Fun, Approachable, Faith, Values, Blessed.
Chase Dougherty, a Camby, Oregon native now calling Decatur, Texas home, is a straight-shooting rider that sees bull riding as just another day of fun. With his wife, Kara, and 9-month-old son, Calgary, at his side and his faith in God, Chase has one goal and one goal only: dominate the bull and win.
Inspired to ride bulls by his father, who rode himself until he was 40, Chase recalls watching VHS tapes of bull riding. Watching. Learning. Taking it all in. Athletics came easy to Chase – in High School he rode bulls, barebacked horses, and did team ropes along with being a football player, wrestler, and pole vaulter.
After a quick 2-year pit stop in business school studying accounting, Chase knew numbers and an office job wasn’t for him. The rodeo was his place. And the rodeo needed Chase. With multiple wins under his belt earning over a half a million dollars throughout his career to date, this 2x PBRWF finalist and 2018 WNFR Avg. Champ and Top Gun Winner, still has a lot of ride in him.
Not only does Chase Dougherty love the sport of bull riding, he’s a family man to the core and always wanted to be one. His love story began at a rodeo in Calgary, Alberta (inspiration for his son’s name). The night Chase and Kara met he told his dad, "I think I met the girl I’m gonna marry."
So when you hear "Lonely is the Night" by Billy Squire come on, Chase is about to dominate his 8 second ride. Chase describes the ride in 8 words: biggest adrenaline rush you are ever gonna have. We describe him in these 8 words: Loyal. Family. Tough. Strong-willed. Honest. Husband. Authentic. Funny.
Vitor Losnake, Brazilian native from Bodu, Sao Paulo, is this year’s rookie in the PBR. Although it’s his first time competing in the United States of America, Vitor has many wins in Brazil and has a deep love for the sport. Bull riding is his entire life.
As a small boy, Vitor always dreamed of being a bull rider. His dad rode horses, but Vitor rode bulls starting at age 10 and professionally at age 15. He always said he would win a championship in Brazil and go onto the US. Now living out his dream, he’s ready to show the US fans what he’s made of. Even after a bad altercation with a bull at his first rodeo in Brazil (he woke up in the ambulance), Vitor Losnake is unshakeable.
Close to his mom, dad and 9-year-old sister, his strong family values and work ethic from growing up on a farm give him the makings of being a champion in the US. With his baby sister cheering him on, he carries a small teddy bear she gifted to him for good luck. He calls her "coach."
Vitor describes the ride in 8 words: Love, emotion, strength, skill, courage, competence and passion. We describe him in these 8 words: Spirited. Relentless. Ambitious. Passionate. Values. Unstoppable. Dedicated. Loyal.