FAYETTEVILLE, Ala. – When you think about riding something, it’s usually as simple as getting in a vehicle, turning the key, and just going.
For Fayetteville High School senior Collin Roland, the ride is much harder and tougher.
If he gets to where he wants to go, it is much more rewarding. Collin is an excellent rodeo athlete.
“I’ve been riding bareback horses since I was seven years old,” Collin said.
His brother, Cayden, is a college rodeo athlete for Pearl River College as a team calf roper. Collin also dabbles a little with calf roping, but his main expertise is riding bareback horses.
The list of Collin’s accomplishments is long, and the most impressive part of this ride is the fact that Collin has 14 college offers from institutions in the Missouri Valley to the University of West Alabama.
His roping events have garnered him 11 buckles and his bareback riding has captured 36 buckles, five saddles and a national title.
The National Championship came in 2021 at the Junior Roughstock Association (JRA) Finals. Collin also finished second last year.
Collin and his family are in Las Vegas right now for the biggest rodeo of the year, the JRA Finals. Collin will ride on Friday and Sunday in the bareback horse competition.
Collin also talked about some of his major rides and wins. He’s collected the IFYR, which stands for the International Finals Youth Rodeo, Title in Shawnee, Oklahoma earlier this year and the Hooey Patriot Finals in Fort Worth, Texas in 2021.
Hopefully, all of Collin’s fans can keep up with his rides on Friday and Sunday as the Cowboy Channel will broadcast this event. Check your local cable provider or streaming service for a full schedule of events.
Of course, all of the Coosa Valley will be rooting for Collin Roland as he tries to capture his second National Championship in three years. This exceptional young man can possibly make another ride to the pinnacle of his sport.
Good luck, Collin!
