Officially named the PBR Rookie of the Year at the 2018 PBR World Finals in November, Keyshawn Whitehorse hails from the Woodlands – a part of Texas he’s called home for some time now. But his success wasn’t a given. It was earned each step of the way, with the support of a loving family who relocated from southern Utah and has been by his side, learning the ropes along with him, and being his biggest cheering section.
Lifestyle
PBR Rookie of the Year: Keyshawn Whitehorse Making Texas Proud
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Photo: Facebook/Tom Darin
In a feature article in 2017, Whitehorse and his family were interviewed by Tom Darin Liskey for Ranch & Reserve Magazine. “By his family’s reckoning, Whitehorse has wanted to ride bulls since he was three. For his part, Keyshawn remembers the first time he saw a bull rider. ‘I was supposed to be sleeping, but my dad was watching TV. For some reason, I woke up and bull riding was on. I remember sitting next to him, realizing that this was something I wanted to do,’” Liskey wrote. Since that time, he and his family have been on a unique journey that has led him to several career highlights, not the least of which is PBR Rookie of the Year.
Photo: Facebook/Tom Darin
In a recent interview with the Wrangler Network, Whitehorse defined his family’s presence and involvement in his successes: “They’ve always kept me on the right path when I wanted to just stop for a while because I couldn’t figure out the plan, couldn’t figure out the idea, because I kept trying and kept pushing and it just wasn’t working. They were always the ones to kind of lead me the right way, saying, ‘Hey, it’s not the end, you can keep going.’”
Photo: Facebook/Monty Axe Williams
Whitehorse made his premier series debut in 2016. That year, he finished 39th in the world standings, coming just short of an appearance in the World Finals. Making his breakthrough in 2018, the 21-year-old finished 19th in the world standings – a considerable difference, and one that he and his family can take great pride in. “From here it’s just kind of keep climbing, and keep that, keep that going with my family, because that’s how I am. I’m a family-oriented person,” he explained to Wrangler Network. He’s come a long way in a short time, and there’s plenty more ahead for this young bull rider. The PBR has recognized his talent and continues to support his drive to the top, making Texas proud, and his family even prouder.
