Luciano de Castro finished in the Top 20 in 2023 World Standings but is laser focused on achieving that #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.
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.