When I sat down to write this article about the Lewis Feild Bulls & Broncos, I thought about the man the event was named after. I didn’t have the opportunity to meet the five-time world champion and Hall of Fame inductee myself, so I asked my father what kind of man he was. 

Watch the 2019 Lewis Feild Bulls & Broncs Rodeo LIVE on FloRodeo, Feb. 2.

He told me of a man who was a fierce competitor in the arena but, more importantly, was a great person outside of the arena. My dad wasn’t a roughstock competitor, but it didn’t matter because no matter what event, true cowboys who honor their western values have a mutual respect for each other. 

Feild himself couldn’t have described it better:

“Someday, when rodeo people look back at what I’ve done, I’d like them to say these things: that I rode tough; that I could ride with pain and courage; that I was a fierce competitor in the arena, but a quiet, respectable man outside the gate,” he said in his Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame biography.” I just want to be remembered as a cowboy. That probably says it all.”

After hearing about him, I started thinking that we could learn a lot from men like Feild, so I wanted to ask the competitors who knew him the lessons they learned from the man.

"Lewis Feild taught me professionalism, dedication and self discipline. Not necessarily by talking or giving me verbal guidance, but by his actions. His approach to people and life stood out the more I was around him. Which wasn’t much, a few high school rodeos and circuit rodeos as I grew up was all. That guy left his mark for being a genuine, down-to-earth great guy. The first time I qualified for the NFR [at the Wilderness Circuit Finals], he asked me if I was ready, told me congratulations, then said, “See what happens when you put your mind to it and work at it.” Hearing that from a legend of our sport made me want to continue to set higher goals, work harder each year and try to better myself every time I nod my head." - Caleb Bennett, seven-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier

"I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time with Lewis, but I know the men he raised and saw the way that they and everyone else looked at him. That kind of respect is a testament to the man he was: a legend and a hero of many." - Richmond Champion, four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and 2018 Canadian bareback riding champion

"There’s a story that everyone talks about when Lewis left my dad at a gas station by accident one time. It’s quite comical. I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Lewis, my dad and all his friends have nothing but great things to say. He was a stand up guy and a true ambassador to the sport of rodeo, a legend and a cowboy. He could rope, ride, pick up broncs, do it all. He was a hero to everyone, in and out of the rodeo arena." - Zeke Thurston, 2016 world champion saddle bronc rider

See Feild tell that story himself at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum: 

"I wasn’t around Lewie as much as I would have liked but I did get to go rope at his house a few times. He was a cowboys cowboy, he could do it all which means a lot in my book.  On top of all that was an all around great guy, he didn’t talk a lot but when he did everyone listened. He was truly someone every person, not just cowboys, should aspire to be." - Taos Muncy, two-time World champion saddle bronc rider.

"Louie was one of my biggest heroes. He taught me a lot of what it meant to be a cowboy, but more of how it was to be a genuine man outside the arena." - Cort Scheer, six-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier

The event holds a special place in the hearts of all who knew Lewis Feild and Feild's son, four-time world champion Kaycee Feild, is no exception.

“It’s amazing, it really is,” said Kaycee, who went on to talk about the special moments that have come from the event. “Like Cort Scheer winning it last year in the bronc riding, him and my dad had a great relationship and it was just really neat to see Cort win the Lewis Field bronc riding. It’s just a special event, he was a special guy and it makes the event stand out that much more.”

When asked to share the most important lessons he's learned from his father, Feild split those lessons into two categories:

"No. 1 is to be a family man and always look out for your family—your brothers and sisters, your wife and your kids—do whatever you can to be there for them and support them," said Feild. "Then on the competitive side, always have fun and always take good from each ride, don’t ever dwell on the bad things, you’re going to make mistakes, just make it fun and look for the positive in everything and simplify it." 

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