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PSN: How do you feel your year is going?
JDG: It has been going well. I am tickled. The last couple months have been slow, but things are picking up again. This is a good time of the year to get on a roll and finish it out strong.
PSN: Do you think the time away from the arena has given you a new hunger for rodeo?
JDG: I would say it did. Before, when I was getting knocked out all the time and it was happening more and more, it just took the fun out of it. I started fighting the injuries more than just riding bucking horses for the enjoyment. Being away and getting healed up has really helped, and now it is fun again. The time off was much-needed. I feel good now. I have been healthy all year, and it is amazing to feel as good as I do after competing all year. I am excited and glad I am having the year I am having.
PSN: You recently got involved in the cutting horse industry. What drew you to that?
JDG: I have ridden horses my whole life. Anytime I can go and learn more and get better at training horses, I am all for it. The cutting horses intrigued me with all the time and dedication trainers have to take with them to get them ready to compete. I was fortunate to have a chance to train some and the opportunity to work with Tom Lyons in Grandview, Texas, and Rick and Shelly Mowery in Weatherford, Texas.
PSN: Is that something you think you will continue with after your rodeo career?
JDG: Whatever I do, horses will be involved. I really like the cutting horses because they are great horses. To ride good horses all the time intrigues me. I have been breeding horses for performance since I was 17. I think instead of getting more involved in the breeding, I will get more involved in the training end of the industry.
PSN: Did you ever compete in any other events besides bareback riding?
JDG: I rode a few bulls and roped some when I was younger, but riding bucking horses always appealed to me. Having two uncles (Mark and Marvin) to learn from and look up to didn't hurt either.
PSN: Do you feel like you have any added pressure to be successful because of the name Garrett?
JDG: I have never felt pressure because everyone is different. You just go out and do what you can do, and I don't let any of that get to me. We are just here to ride bucking horses and have fun. I don't want to get away from that, so I don't let anything get to me. It helped me in the fact that I had great guys to look up to and learn from. They were the ones who taught me how to ride. Hopefully I can go out and achieve all I want and I will be happy.
PSN: Worst injuries you have suffered?
JDG: My rookie year, when I separated my ribs the first time was pretty bad, but you learn to deal with it. When I had it happen again, I could ride through it, unlike my rookie year. I had a hairline fracture in my lower back, and that was pretty painful because it hurt every time I tried to do something. I hurt my shoulder and had quite a bit of nerve damage to the extent that I couldn't even pick up a pop can. I suffered my first concussion when I was in high school, but didn't think much of it. After the 2002 NFR, it started happening more and that started making me think about it. It was not something that I wanted to keep having happen, and it started taking the fun out of it. My hat is off to the Justin SportsMedicine Team for all their help.
PSN: What is the highest-marked ride you have ever had, and what horse was it on?
JDG: I scored a 91 on Franklin's #23 in Calgary this year, and that was my highest-marked ride.
PSN: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
JDG: I like to just relax, go to the movies and maybe go out to eat with my fiancé. Other than that, it seems like I am always messing with horses.
PSN: What is your fianceé's name, and do you have a date set?
JDG: Her name is Nikki Leonard, and we haven't set a date yet. We are waiting to see how this goes with my rodeo schedule. Hopefully I will be in Vegas in December, and we have thrown around the idea of getting married there. We got engaged last year about the Fourth of July.
PSN: Favorite place to visit?
JDG: I like San Antonio come February. I have always done well at that rodeo, and I just love the town and the Riverwalk. I also like the country up in Canada. It is so pretty up there.
PSN: What type of animal do you most resemble?
JDG: I would have to say a horse probably a hard-headed horse that is set in his ways.
PSN: Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
JDG: Mark Garrett.
PSN: Favorite sports team?
JDG: The San Francisco 49ers have been my team since I was little. Other than that, I just enjoy watching other athletes who show dedication to their sport and their love for competition.
PSN: If you could have front-row seats to any sporting event, what would it be?
JDG: I would love to go to the Kentucky Derby.
PSN: If you could trade places with anyone in the world who would it be and why?
JDG: I am happy being J.D. Garrett.
PSN: Celebrity you would most like to meet?
JDG: Robert Duvall because of his love for horses and his performance in one of the greatest Westerns Lonesome Dove. He was a hell of a cowboy in that movie.
PSN: Favorite type of candy bar?
JDG: Almond Snickers.
PSN: Favorite time of the year?
JDG: It depends on where I am at. I enjoy the winter in Texas because I don't have to freeze my butt off when I am riding horses. Everything I do is with horses so good weather is a plus. The Cowboy Grille appears in each issue of the ProRodeo Sports News which is published bi-weekly by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. For more information or to subscribe, contact them by clicking here.
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