FORT WORTH, Texas – Walking around Cowtown Coliseum before Saturday’s Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour season opener, the Ouncie Mitchell Memorial Invitational, Ezekiel Mitchell couldn’t be spotted without at least two or three people gravitating around him and his family throughout the day.

Less than 72 hours after the cowboy reflected on what the weekend – and life in general – could entail, there was a resonating lesson he wanted to share.

“The biggest message I want people to take away from this is that there are so many people who were put in your life for a reason, to help you and push you forward,” Mitchell shared earlier this week on PBR Now. “But at the end of the day, you have to continue to live your life and do the best that you can by yourself.”

Quote aside, this is the bull riding community. Or bull riding family, rather, and there wasn’t a chance in the world he and his family wouldn’t be showered with love throughout the special weekend.

Friends, family, Ouncie’s 4-year-old daughter, A’nyla, and her grandparents. Longtime bull riding fans, rodeo dignitaries and members of the media alike, all who came to pay their respects, support the community, and ultimately witness the action that helped create their bond with Mitchell and his family in the first place: bull riding.

“If you know one thing about cowboys, we take care of our own,” PBR CEO Sean Gleason offered when addressing the crowd Saturday during the Ouncie Mitchell Memorial invitational.

Despite the event marking the beginning of the individual season for riders following the inaugural season of PBR Team Series action, it was still very much a team effort for Mitchell and the Austin Gamblers.

“It’s awesome what cowboys do for one another,” fellow Gambler Austin Richardson shared Saturday. “Zeke, Ouncie and them, I’ve known them since I started riding bulls. I’ve been to bull ridings with Ouncie and Zeke, and when we first started going to PBRs, we kind of worked up with each other. It’s amazing what the Austin Gamblers, the PBR, what everyone’s done for this event here. It’s really amazing to just be a part of it.

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Dalton Kasel, who was traded to the Gamblers midseason after being drafted by the Kansas City Outlaws earlier this year, championed the evening’s effort, bringing home the win for his summertime teammate via 91 and 89-point rides aboard Crossover and J&M’s Yukon, respectively.

While the reality of the weekend may have been that Mitchell’s time on the dirt before an emotionally charged and supportive audience was the only time he was actually alone, even then, most know he wasn’t.

Earlier in the day, during the Bill Pickett Rodeo, Mitchell watched on as the various events reminded him of days watching his cousin pursue his dreams on the rodeo circuit.

Releasing a memorial bull in his honor, the crowd stood, cheered, and likely wiped a few tears as the bull bounced around the dirt, celebrating Ouncie’s life and legacy.

A long day for Mitchell, but he still showed up to punch the clock when work called.

As the last of 40 riders to give it a go in the opening round, Mitchell was paired with False Start and was dispatched before the requisite 8. The arena couldn’t help but let out an audible groan, wanting to see Mitchell succeed at the special event. Seconds later, an orange flag flew onto the dirt as he was issued a re-ride.

As the suspense continued to build, Mitchell readied for his second outing of the evening, this time aboard Marciano.

Besting his opponent for an 88-point score, Cowtown Coliseum erupted as the family man celebrated the meaningful moment.

Despite advancing to the championship round, Mitchell wasn’t able to conquer Empty Glass, but all things considered, it was a special evening for the rider.

“The only thing that would’ve made this day better is if Ouncie was still here,” Mitchell concluded.

Photo courtesy of Lindsay DiCamillo