GLENDALE, Ariz. – The lights are bright inside Desert Diamond Arena, and a familiar guitar riff rolls through the speakers. “This loveeee is getting kind of dangeroussss…”

That intro can only mean one cowboy — Keyshawn Whitehorse.

Eight seconds later, the scoreboard flashes: 88.5 points on Let Him Fly. For the Arizona Ridge Riders, it’s another clutch moment from their closer — and for Whitehorse, another ride steeped in pride, culture and faith.

He rides wearing a bow guard, or ketoh, the Navajo word for a protective forearm wrap once used to shield archers from the snap of a bowstring. Traditional ketohs feature a leather band decorated with sterling silver, often inlaid with turquoise or stamped with floral motifs. Over time, they’ve evolved from tools of defense to symbols of pride and personal strength — precisely what Whitehorse embodies each time he rides.

“The bow guard represents the warrior mentality — protection and strength,” he said. “I started wearing it in high school.” To Whitehorse, it’s more than protection — a small piece of luck and spirit that keeps him grounded in who he is and what he stands for.

The bow guard he wears now was built by a Navajo silversmith who approached his mother at the PBR World Finals, saying he had made it on Keyshawn’s behalf after watching him ride with one in past seasons. The piece — heavier and sturdier than any he’s worn before — has already proven its worth.

“Last year I got stepped on, right on my wrist,” Whitehorse said. “It hurt, but it didn’t break. That guard protected me.”

Hanging from his vest is a beaded medallion his grandmother made for him, something he’s worn since childhood. She beaded it for good luck, and Whitehorse says it carries “a lot of good prayers.”

Those items aren’t decoration. They’re connection — reminders of who he is, where he comes from, and the generations of strength and resilience that ride with him into every arena.

Raised near McCracken Spring, Utah, within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation, Whitehorse grew up in the open desert, surrounded by livestock, family and faith. His parents, Del and Norbert, were avid rodeo fans, and Keyshawn’s story began almost poetically — he was born on July 24, 1997, the very day they had planned to attend the Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City.

As his mother told The Salt Lake Tribune, “He was like, ‘Mom, I just wanted to hurry up and get on with life,’” Del said. “‘I wanted to hurry up and get to bull riding.’”

As a kid, Whitehorse spent hours watching rodeos on TV, transfixed by the sport’s raw power and precision. At five years old, while watching the National Finals Rodeo with his father, he turned and said six words that would shape his life: “I want to do that, Dad.”

Since then, he’s been guided by faith and focus. Before every ride, he prays three times — once in the locker room, again behind the chutes, and once more for the bull he’s about to face. As he told The Cowboy Channel in a May 2025 interview, “You don’t work against them — you have to work with them and respect the animal.”

That quiet discipline extends to every part of his routine. Faith, family, music — everything has rhythm.

Inside the Ridge Riders locker room, there’s always a beat. Long before the opening gates, when the arena noise is just a distant hum, Keyshawn is the one on aux. His portable speaker — a constant companion — sets the tone for the night.

He’ll walk the hallway with the speaker in hand, lunging, stretching, humming along. It’s his pregame pulse — equal parts focus and fun — and it fills the room before the noise of 10,000 fans takes over.

“He’s the perfect coach’s player,” said Head Coach Colby Yates. “He’s a leader. He is a leader in that locker room, for sure.”

Yates said Whitehorse’s leadership shows in the way he carries himself — calm, reliable and relentlessly consistent. He keeps the locker room loose but locked in, making sure his teammates are where they need to be mentally and physically. They look to him, Yates said, not just because of his talent, but because of the way he fights for every second and every ride.

That grit, Yates added, is what makes him different. “He refuses to let go, even when he knows he's in a position where it's going to hurt like hell,” Yates said. “He doesn’t give a shit — he’s gonna hold on, he’s gonna take the hit, because he never thinks for one moment that he's beat. And for these guys to see that and have that on their team, I’m always hoping that that translates to the next frame.”

During Arizona’s homestand in Glendale, that toughness was on full display. On Friday night, Whitehorse delivered 88.5 points on Let Him Fly, sealing a win for the Ridge Riders after Yates successfully challenged a slap call. The next night, he followed with 83.75 points on Mr. Teller, narrowly missing another career walk-off.

Now in his seventh PBR season, the 2018 Rookie of the Year has grown into one of the sport’s most consistent performers — and one of its most respected cultural ambassadors. His calm demeanor, respect for the animals and deep connection to his Navajo roots have made him a symbol of grace and grit.

For Whitehorse, every ride carries deeper meaning — a chance to honor his family, his Nation and those who see themselves in him. As he told The Salt Lake Tribune earlier this year, “The only reason why I am who I am and where I’m at is because I’m able to be a Navajo from Utah,” he said. “And to be able to represent the Navajo Nation proudly and give them something to cheer for.”

The Arizona Ridge Riders currently sit fourth in the PBR Camping World Team Series standings at 22-13, riding at a 46.9 percent clip, among the league’s most balanced and dangerous rosters.

With the PBR Teams Championship in Las Vegas up next, Whitehorse and the Ridge Riders are preparing for one last war. When the lights rise inside T-Mobile Arena, and that opening riff from “White Horse” rolls through the speakers once again, the closer from McCracken Spring will be ready — bow guard fastened and medallion secure — to ride for Arizona, for his teammates and for the Nation he proudly carries with him.

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media