As a fourth-generation bucking bull breeder, Mason Ward has good stock behind him—and great opportunities in front of him. Following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather who raised roughstock, and his grandfather who also bucked bulls, and now both parents...it’d almost be “old hat” to Mason, except that the Nebraska breeder is only 8.

“It’s fun!” exclaimed Mason, a second grader at Tryon Elementary School in Tryon, Nebraska. “I like raising and feeding my bulls, and just being around ‘em.”

He has plenty of company at the massive family ranch in west-central Nebraska. Along with Mason’s two sisters, 12-year-old Kandace and Klaire, 2, Mason helps their mother and father Mark and Kelly Ward raise a herd of 50 bucking bulls. Mason’s parents work with his grandfather, Bob Long, on the 8,000-acre ranch. The Wards run their bucking stock on a section of their property (640 acres.)

Mason’s parents are impressive role models for the aspiring young breeder.

Besides raising three children, running the bucking bull business is a sole full-time career for the Wards.

Rodeoing runs deep in the blood of Mason’s father and mother. Mark, a longtime professional bull rider, was a four-time PBR finalist. Kelly rode cutting horses as a teenager. These high school sweethearts, however, traded their respective riding careers to raise their children and bucking bulls.

As part of the family business, Mason eagerly helps his parents organize four PBR events each year—three across Nebraska (in North Platte, Grand Island and Hastings,) and one in Woodward, Okla. They do it all— hauling their bulls, arranging sponsorships and setting up the arena through their company, O.W. Livestock, co-owned by Donald Owens of Choctaw, Okla.

Mark, who accrued business contacts from his days on the rodeo circuit, is an event producer with many partners. The Wards haul the arena to rodeos; leasing it out to stock contractors like 6-time PBR Stock Contractor of the Year Dillon and H.D. Page, as well as 2007/08 PBR Stock Contractor of the Year Chad Berger and others. Mason excitedly immerses himself in the action by flanking his bulls at the professional rodeos, and waits patiently for his turn to ride bulls at open events.

“Riding is fun, and I’ve been doing it for awhile,” the second-grader related. “I also really like bucking calves.”

Mason’s favorite bull is Little Spinner, who will start with a dummy this summer, and if the bull calf proves himself, Mason will enter him in Futurities. Little Spinner’s bloodline combination is a Katy Did/Wrangler Rivets cow.

Mason’s dad is proud to help mentor his son. “He’s got chances I never had when I was younger, and I hope it’s something he wants to do. Mainly, I want him to be motivated in whatever he does,” Mark emphasized, adding, “he really loves junior rodeoing, and he pitches in, even at 8 years old.”

Mason’s mom is thrilled her son is passionate about the rodeo business. “I think it’s really neat that he’s so interested. The scary part is that he’s starting to ride bulls,” Kelly Ward said. “He’s addicted to both!”

Mason animatedly agreed, “It’s cool when I go to PBRs. It’s exciting to be at rodeos.”

Since Mason is busy weekdays with school and 4- H, his rodeo career goes in high gear on weekends. He does ranch chores with his father, including feeding cows and moving them from one pasture to another, as well as sorting cattle.

Mason also makes time for hobbies including wrestling, baseball, and horseback riding.

Even at his young age, Mason has a memorable story to share. “I’ve had a bull get away...but then we got it to run into the corral, and now the gate is too high to jump.”

That robust energy is bucking not only from Mason’s bull, but from the junior breeder himself.