ARTICLES #1

Of the Commercial Staff Pine Bluff Commercial September 30, 1995

TOP BUCKING HORSE TO RETIRE

By Donna Mooney

    Roller Coaster, a world champion saddle bronc horse of the DeLayne Long Rodeo Co. will leave the Excitement of throwing cowboys for green pastures.

    The 23 -year old horse will retire, according to Vickie Long of the DeLayne Long Rodeo  CO.

   " That makes him about 75 in human years;" she said.  "He's been with the rodeo co for 15 years.

    Ever night during the southeast Arkansas Livestock show and rodeo, he has taken a gracious farewell walk around the arena of Hestand Stadium to a cheering crowd.

    Roller Coaster has had an active past.  Long said he was a four time world champion saddle bronc  horse of the year.

    "He has won over $200,000 over the years for the people who have ridden him.  A Lot  of them have been bucked off of him too.  I just want him to be able to rest.  He's like one of my kids" Long said

    Roller Coaster will return to Osage City Kansas, where he will live out the rest of his life.  "He'll be in the pasture getting three meals a day until he dies."  We take real good care of the horses we keep.  A lot of people think we abuse these horses, but we have to take care of them, they make our living.  We treat our animals just like you take care of your kids or like a race car driver takes care of his car."  Long says.

    From the time he came to the DeLayne Long Rodeo CO. Roller Coaster was too wild to do anything else other that to perform as a saddle bronc, long said.

    Standing next to Long, he is very tame. She tells him to stop moving and he does. the stillness does not last long.  The excitement of the night causes him to twist and turn . 

    "He couldn't be ridden.  If it hadn't been for rodeo, he would have been slaughtered ."

HE HAS TO RIGHT TO RETIRE!

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Last modified: 09/07/09