Sunset Send-Off for Veteran IFYR Bullfighter
Veteran professional bullfighter Rob Gann of Lonoke, Arkansas, has been involved with the International Finals Youth Rodeo since 1998, when his family first provided stock for the event, and he has been a supporter ever since. Gann has protected bull riders all across the country, and for 13 years in a row at the IFYR, totaling more than 140 IFYR performances. In addition, Gann gladly assumed more responsibility, serving as arena director for the past five years.
After 18-years of professional bullfighting, at 36-years-old, Gann will retire after the Friday night finals performance of the 2016 IFYR.
“This is not an easy decision for Rob to make whatsoever,” said Danna Gann, Rob’s mother and IFYR rodeo secretary. “The love for the sport and passion for this rodeo in particular means so much to him. Bringing these young competitors up in the rodeo and being a mentor is so important to Rob.”
Gann started studying and watching bulls and bullfighting at the young age of three, continually learning to read bulls and their tendencies. Once he was older, he helped with the family’s stock contracting business, eventually leading him to the arena riding bulls and broncs, then to his calling as a bullfighter. Among many accolades, he is a two-time International Professional Rodeo Association world champion bullfighter and has fought at the International Finals Rodeo, selected by the top 15 professional bull riders.
“Rob has always been there and cared for the safety and well-being of the IFYR competitors,” said Chris Dunlap, Assistant Director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “He puts his heart and soul into the IFYR. We have spoken, and I know this is a hard decision for him to make, and it is hard for all of us as well. The way he supports these kids and associates with them as a mentor is incredible and irreplaceable. But, we are not losing him. He will be back and involved with the IFYR in years to come, just in a different capacity.”
Among others, Gann has also served as a teacher to fellow IFYR bull fighter, 29-year-old Josh Cragar of Columbia, Tennessee. Cragar has been by Gann’s side for the past six IFYR’s. They met 11 years ago at the International Finals Rodeo when Cragar asked Gann to teach him everything he knew.
“There is so much passion in Rob with this sport,” said Cragar. “It’s going to be tough on him to retire from bullfighting, especially from the IFYR, but he has such a calling to teach and it will be great for him.”
Cragar shared a story that he had made a bad choice while bullfighting with Gann in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, that ended with Gann taking a kick to the face from both feet of a bull. Instead of being upset, Cragar relayed that Gann took time to explain what he did wrong and how to improve.
“He has taught me, and many others, not just about rodeo, but about life,” said Cragar.
Gann is married to wife, Kim, and has two daughters, Laynee, age 10, and Karoline, age 3. He is a full time construction supervisor and looks forward to more time rodeoing with Laynee and Karoline.
The International Finals Youth Rodeo, held annually since 1993, is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that presents top high school athletes with a professional rodeo. The internationally-recognized IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The action-packed event includes hundreds of contestants vying to win more than $200,000 in prize money, competing in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas over six days. In 2015, more than 930 contestants and their families traveled from 32 states to participate in the IFYR. For more information, visit IFYR.com or call (405) 275-7020.
After 18-years of professional bullfighting, at 36-years-old, Gann will retire after the Friday night finals performance of the 2016 IFYR.
“This is not an easy decision for Rob to make whatsoever,” said Danna Gann, Rob’s mother and IFYR rodeo secretary. “The love for the sport and passion for this rodeo in particular means so much to him. Bringing these young competitors up in the rodeo and being a mentor is so important to Rob.”
Gann started studying and watching bulls and bullfighting at the young age of three, continually learning to read bulls and their tendencies. Once he was older, he helped with the family’s stock contracting business, eventually leading him to the arena riding bulls and broncs, then to his calling as a bullfighter. Among many accolades, he is a two-time International Professional Rodeo Association world champion bullfighter and has fought at the International Finals Rodeo, selected by the top 15 professional bull riders.
“Rob has always been there and cared for the safety and well-being of the IFYR competitors,” said Chris Dunlap, Assistant Director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “He puts his heart and soul into the IFYR. We have spoken, and I know this is a hard decision for him to make, and it is hard for all of us as well. The way he supports these kids and associates with them as a mentor is incredible and irreplaceable. But, we are not losing him. He will be back and involved with the IFYR in years to come, just in a different capacity.”
Among others, Gann has also served as a teacher to fellow IFYR bull fighter, 29-year-old Josh Cragar of Columbia, Tennessee. Cragar has been by Gann’s side for the past six IFYR’s. They met 11 years ago at the International Finals Rodeo when Cragar asked Gann to teach him everything he knew.
“There is so much passion in Rob with this sport,” said Cragar. “It’s going to be tough on him to retire from bullfighting, especially from the IFYR, but he has such a calling to teach and it will be great for him.”
Cragar shared a story that he had made a bad choice while bullfighting with Gann in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, that ended with Gann taking a kick to the face from both feet of a bull. Instead of being upset, Cragar relayed that Gann took time to explain what he did wrong and how to improve.
“He has taught me, and many others, not just about rodeo, but about life,” said Cragar.
Gann is married to wife, Kim, and has two daughters, Laynee, age 10, and Karoline, age 3. He is a full time construction supervisor and looks forward to more time rodeoing with Laynee and Karoline.
The International Finals Youth Rodeo, held annually since 1993, is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that presents top high school athletes with a professional rodeo. The internationally-recognized IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The action-packed event includes hundreds of contestants vying to win more than $200,000 in prize money, competing in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas over six days. In 2015, more than 930 contestants and their families traveled from 32 states to participate in the IFYR. For more information, visit IFYR.com or call (405) 275-7020.
