PUEBLO, Colo. – When the top bull riders in the world gather in Tucson, Arizona, next weekend for the official start of the 2024 Unleash The Beast season, fans will watch on as a mix of established veterans and promising up-and-coming talents battle it out for the first event title of the premier series season.
Unfortunately for Missouri Thunder fans, Kade Madsen won’t be among those competing out west.
Not due to the lack of qualification status, as the 18-year-old paced the Thunder with an 11-for-30 record throughout year two of the 5-on-5 PBR Camping World Team Series spectacle.
But rather, because the Honeyville, Utah, native will be spending the next two years in the greater Nashville area on a religious retreat.
A potential setback for Missouri’s dynasty approach and for the youngster’s overall riding development, but a small task in comparison to the blessings he’s received in life thus far.
“I’m doing it for my church and my beliefs,” Madsen said.
“My thought is that it’s a big sacrifice for people on the outside looking in, but the Lord’s blessed me so much in my short career, so it’d be pretty selfish of me not to take two short years of my life to go preach his Gospel.
I’m just very blessed and thankful.”
Bull riding has been important to Kade since he can remember. But taking time for prayer and aiding the community dates back several generations in the Madsen family. Knowing it’s the path he’s meant to be on at this time, he began to prepare for his trip ahead of the postseason gauntlet, knowing what his goals were following the tournament.
Of course, that wouldn’t stop the talented rider from giving it his all during his last event for a while:
The 2023 PBR Camping World Teams Championship.
“The regular season didn’t go our way and we bucked off a lot of bulls that we should’ve rode, but we’re firing on all cylinders here (in Las Vegas) and I want to end it with a bang,” Madsen shared Sunday afternoon.
Seeing his Thunder fall to the Austin Gamblers during day three’s opening game, he recognized his time atop the chutes was quickly coming to an end.
For now, at least.
“This next one that I get on here will be my last bull for two years,” a young, yet wise, Madsen offered.
“But it’s still just one bull at a time.”
One of just three riders to manage four qualified rides inside T-Mobile Arena, joining eventual 2023 PBR Teams Championship MVP Joao Ricardo Vieira (of the defending champion Texas Rattlers) and Thunder teammate Felipe Furlan, Madsen gave it his all.
From making his debut in the City of Bright Lights on Friday evening to becoming one of the event’s most productive riders by Sunday afternoon, Madsen wasn’t backing down from the pressure.
He was thriving within it.
“Lotta hours, that’s for sure. We didn’t really do it the easy way, going through the Last Chance Game twice,” he shared with a brief laugh.
“Been on a lot of bulls since being in Las Vegas but man, it’s been a really fun experience and I’ve been loving every minute of it.”
Heading into his final out for a while as Missouri prepared to challenge the Arizona Ridge Riders during the Third Place Game, Madsen was a spicy 4-for-5.
Naturally, coaches Luke Snyder and Ross Coleman were rooting for their guy to ride and team to win.
But would a buckoff during his final ride for more than 700 days keep that fire lingering inside him more than a qualified ride would send the stuffed bear into hibernation?
Eventually dispatched by Tulsa Time in 4.41 seconds, the skilled cowboy completed the weekend 4-for-6.
Regardless of whether you’re in the “Come back, Kade” Camp or sporting the “Do what you feel is right,” ideology, the talented 18-year-old has solidified a spot within the industry’s top tours when he makes his return in 2025.
“I’m just ready for the next one, no matter where they put me, no matter the tour,” Madsen concluded.
“12 seconds.”
Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media