PUEBLO, Colo. – Texas Rattlers coach Cody Lambert has long known of Daniel Keeping.
Lambert would often hear from stock contractors throughout Texas about this young bull rider who fearlessly showed up at their ranches and was willing to be a “crash dummy” for some of their young up-and-coming bulls.
It was hard to find a bull Keeping would not want to attempt to ride.
Last year, Lambert got to spend time with Keeping at his ranch in Bowie, Texas, during a filming for a reality television show, and Lambert quickly saw that there was some untapped potential in the now 23-year-old.
It is why once Lambert was named head coach of the Texas Rattlers earlier this year, the 60-year-old added Keeping to his list of riders he was interested in potentially adding to his squad.
In fact, Lambert told PBR.com earlier this year he would have signed Keeping earlier than Aug. 22 if not for Keeping breaking his leg at a rodeo right there in Bowie earlier this summer.
“We spent a lot of time together in the past, and he broke his leg in early June or else I would have had him sooner,” Lambert said. “He is just coming off it. I wanted to give him time to heal up and I don’t know how hard he can go on this level of bulls. He is still young and capable. He is fearless and he has been a crash test dummy for so many stock contractors growing up that he has been wrecked out a little more than he should have been at his age.
“If I can get him at a professional mentality where he rides for a living, he is pretty good. He is a tough guy.”
Texas officially elevated Keeping to its protected roster this week, and for good reason.
The 23-year-old is 3-for-5 for Texas, and he single-handedly helped them defeat the Kansas City Outlaws (7-12) last weekend (87.75-85.25) at Freedom Fest.
Keeping’s three rides are also tied for the third-most on the squad behind Cody Jesus (8-for-19) and 2002 World Champion Ednei Caminhas (6-for-15).
“My leg has been a little sore, but I am feeling good and happy to be back at it,” Keeping said. “I was tickled. It was a big honor when Cody called me and let me on here. I am glad I am able to do my job and show why I deserve to be here.”
Keeping grew up near Stephenville, Texas, as the son of two cops. His late father signed him up in a youth rodeo association when he was around 6 years old and Keeping quickly fell in love with the sport.
Daniel would often watch the PBR on television growing up, and he grew fond of the gritty and tough old school bull riders.
Keeping says he tries to take bits and pieces from all of bull ridings’ greats.
“Some people like them pretty, some like them dirty,” Keeping said with a grin. “I can be as Western as you can get or as pretty as you want. If the bull is good, I will show him off, but if he is dirty, lets bear down. I try to gather things from everyone. Gary Leffew. Kody Lostroh. Lane Frost. Tuff Hedeman. Justin McBride. You take little pieces. That is what I think about growing into bull riding or anything you do. I don’t think you should try to be like one person. There are so many different tricks and ways to help you be better, but I really like those old guys from ‘08 and earlier.”
Keeping won three consecutive Mini Bull Riding Finals in Las Vegas during his teenage years before eventually turning pro at 18 years old.
However, the PBR Team Series and this year is the first Keeping has consistently entered PBR events.
“I had been PRCAing a lot and I would do a couple PBRs,” Keeping said. “I kind of lived on my own a lot and sometimes I didn’t have the finances. That is on my part. I should have done better. If I wasn’t going to PBRs, I was going somewhere else, whether it was a bull team event or a PRCA or a practice pen.”
Keeping and the Rattlers (7-12) head into this coming weekend’s Thunder Days following their best performance of the season. Texas went 2-1 at Freedom Fest and has moved up to No. 6 in the PBR Team Series standings. Texas has also won three of its past four games.
Keeping faces Wasted Nights (7-2, all levels) from the leadoff position on Friday night for the Rattlers game vs. Arizona (11-7-1) at 8:45 p.m. ET (RidePass on Pluto TV).
“It was a blessing that popped up and an opportunity to take being a Rattler,” Keeping concluded. “There is a good feeling when you have done something for your teammates and not just yourself. It will boost your self-esteem.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Todd Brewer/Bull Stock Media