Bruce Ford is back in the saddle again

Bill Bowman

Monday, Dec. 7, 1998 | 2:12 a.m.

The smile on Bruce Ford's face told the story.

After six years of spending a lot of time with his family, Ford, a 46-year-old five-time bareback world champion, was back home -- back at the National Finals Rodeo.

"I quit to watch my kids grow," Ford said. "I watched my son and daughter win world championships."

For Ford, a Kersey, Colo., native, the choice to be with his family was an easy one.

"I really wanted to spend time with them," he said of his wife, Susie; son, Royce; and daughter, Courtney.

But then came the moment of truth.

"It was time to get back to what I loved to do," he said. "And they told me to go."

His drive and determination earned him a spot at this year's NFR at the Thomas and Mack. He said there was no doubt he would be back.

"I planned on being here since last November," he said. "I worked hard. I placed in about 50 of 89 events and really had a good year."

Ford came into the NFR ranked No. 13 in the world with $51,953. That brought his lifetime earnings to $1,137,399.

"I don't have all the money any more, but I've got a million dollars in memories," he said.

He's looking to add more as the NFR continues.

"Everybody wants the [world championship] buckle," he said. "But you've got to take it one horse at a time."

And Ford knows a little about taking it day by day. He's been battling diabetes and it's a battle he's winning.

"It's a tough battle for anyone," Ford said. "It took me awhile to realize what I had. But once I got a handle on it, I was OK. It's just something I have to deal with."

He has dealt with the disease the same way he does with horses -- head on.

"I'm doing what I love to do," he said. "And I have a family that is behind me. I can't ask for much more."

Ford hasn't won any money during the first three rounds at the NFR, but a look at his history reveals he's capable of a comeback.

He joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1972 and won world titles in 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1987.

He still feels there is a chance for more.

"It's not you against the other cowboys ... it's you against the horse," he said. "You get on, hold on and the best one wins."

Bareback competitor Clint Corey, who is leading the world standings in the bareback event, said Ford is a great athlete and an even greater role model.

"He's as great a cowboy as you will ever see," Corey, 37, said.

Corey can rattle off Ford's accomplishments without batting an eye.

"He's got five world championships and he's qualified 19 times here," Corey said. "He's been a hero of mine forever. He's just a great part of the sport."

For Ford, it's just another day at the office.

"I'm still trying to be real competitive," he said. 'I'm not tired and I feel confident. Everything's going good."

Even though he hasn't cashed this year, he remains upbeat.

"I'm 46 and at the NFR," he said. "You can't beat that."

While Ford didn't place in Sunday's third NFR go-round, Chris Harris put an 83 on the board to win the bareback event.

Harris, from Arlington, Texas, pocketed $13,004.64 and said the horse was a tough one.

"He was a lot of horse," Harris said of Make Believe.

Other winners Sunday:

* In steer wrestling, Mike Smith of Baton Rouge, La., came out on top with a time of 3.40 seconds.

* The team of Tee Woolman and Tyler Magnus, both from Llano, Texas, put a time of 4.5 seconds on the board for the team roping win.

* Cody Ohl, Stephenville, Texas; Ricky Hyde, Conway, Ariz.; and Jerome Schneeberger, Ponca City, Okla.; all had a time of 7.8 seconds to share the top spot in the calf roping. It was Ohl's third straight go-round win.

* Glen O'Neill, Water Valley, Alberta, Canada, won the go-round in the saddle bronc event with a score of 84.

* Martha Josey, Karnack, Texas, won the barrel racing in a time of 14.02.

* Blu Bryant, from Nacogdoches, Texas, was one of just two bull riders to complete a ride on Sunday and won with a score of 84. Aaron Semas, Auburn, Calif., was the only other rider to stay on as he scored a 78.

Notes

Eight performers were honored during Saturday night's performance as winners of the 1998 Original Coors Rodeo Showdown.

Those honored included: Dan Mortensen, saddle bronc; Rocky Steagall, bareback; Vince Stanton, bull riding; Rusty Sewalt, calf roping; Shawn Johnson, steer wrestling; Chance Kelton and Brent Lockett, team roping; and Kristie Peterson, barrel racing.

The showdown, in its seventh year, features a format where the top 10 point leaders in the year-long $1 Million-plus Original Coors Chute Out Series qualify to compete in a winner-take-all event which features three elimination rounds.