'I just enjoy doing it'

RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — Chase Outlaw of Tilly is a third-generation bull rider, and his dad says he's the best Outlaw yet.

Chase, 17, a junior-to-be at Hector High School, will return to the National High School Finals Rodeo today through Saturday, July 25.

He finished second at the National High School Finals Rodeo last year and was named Rookie of the Year; prior to that, he was a three-time qualifier for the Wrangler Junior High Finals Rodeo.

He is a five-time Arkansas state champion.

"Chase is a whole lot better than what we were when we were his age," said Greg Outlaw of himself and his father, Morgan Outlaw, who died a couple of years ago. "I think it's because of his small build. He's flexible and really built up from playing football. He's small and muscular."

Outlaw started riding calves at 4 while living in Hamburg. Hismother, Rhonda Outlaw, said he'd started from the ground up.

"I just enjoy doing it," Chase said. "I became good at it and enjoyed it. Dad used to rodeo, and everybody else I grew up with used to rodeo."

He said besides his father and grandfather, he's been influenced by Chuck White of Hamburg and Reese Cates of El Dorado, both of whom are registered with Professional Bull Riders Inc.

The Outlaw family moved toTilly in northeastern Pope County when Chase started eighth grade. He'd already won the Arkansas State Finals in the Wrangler Junior High series twice, in sixth and seventh grade. He won it again as an eighth-grader before moving up to the National High School division last year - where he continued winning.

What's the key to his success?

"Whoever rides the most consistently and stays healthy," Outlaw said.

He suffered a concussion when he was in eighth grade when he was hit in the face by a bull.

That experience didn't faze him.

"I rode the next weekend," he said. "It didn't bother me."

Rhonda Outlaw admitted to being "a little nervous" sometimes while watching her son, but she has faith in his ability. Greg Outlaw said his own familiarity with the sport keeps him from being afraid when his son rides.

"I'm concerned when he gets in a wreck and I have to run out there and get him loose, but riding doesn't scare me because I've been there and done that," he said.

Chase, who plays running back and strong safety for Hector's football team, rodeos year-round. Often he'll play a football game Friday night then head out for a rodeo to compete on Saturday morning.

He's involved in several different rodeo organizations besides the high school series. At press time, he was ranked third in the Arkansas Rodeo Association bull-riding standings after a win at Atkins and a third-place at Hampton. ARA includes adult riders as well.

His attitude going into the national finals is to ride one bull at a time.

"I'm not trying to win the whole thing at once," he said. "I just want to go there and ride each bull. If you ride all three of your bulls, you're going to be the winner."

He might draw some familiar ones. He said there would be some Arkansas bulls in the national finals pens. That familiarity could help.

He hopes to earn a rodeo scholarship to attend college somewhere in Texas and to ride professionally once he's 18.

Rhonda Outlaw said rodeo is an expensive sport - the helmets can cost $500. At press time, he didn't have a sponsor.

"The way he competes every year, I'm kind of surprised," she said. "He's slipping through the cracks."

So Outlaw has been busy this summer mowing grass.

"He has to hustle to make those entry fees," Greg Outlaw said.