Thrill of the ride: Young bull rider is hooked on the eight-second ride

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Cody Hodges of Omaha stays aboard a rank bull at a high school rodeo in Sulphur Springs. Even though he has been riding bulls for a short time, the high school senior has earned two scholarships from the Texas FFA Rodeo. -- Courtesy photo

August 12, 2004 - The highlight of a rodeo, for many, is the bull riding event. Watch the crowd and the wonder of the eight-second ride is spread across the faces of eager males of all ages ... just wishing for that kind of thrill.

An Omaha teenager, who never dreamed of riding a bull, discovered the thrill two-and-a-half years ago when he "got a wild hair and got on one at a high school rodeo in Terrell." Now, he says, he's hooked on that eight-second ride.

Cody Hodges, a senior at Paul Pewitt High School, said riding a bull is "like being on a roller coaster but you're not strapped in. You've got to stay on yourself."

Since that first ride (he got bucked off), Cody hasn't slowed down. Bull riding, he said, is in his blood now.

This thrilling sport has also gained Cody two FFA scholarships for winning the bull riding event, the last two years, during the Texas FFA Rodeo.

"I have only competed the last two years and won both years," Cody said. "I will compete again next year."

The rodeo, now in its third year and sponsored by Ford Motor Co., is for current FFA members who have completed at least two FFA activities during the previous school year.

The scholarships are presented during the state FFA convention. For the first time, this year's rodeo was held in conjunction with the state FFA convention, which was last month in Fort Worth.

The scholarship funds can be used at the college, university or technical school of the recipient's choice. "I would like to thank Ford for sponsoring these scholarships," Cody shared.

At this time, Cody is unsure of his college choice but he knows he will major in animal science and become an ag science teacher.

But, first things first ... "I would like to go professional. The next step will probably be the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and then to the PBR (Professional Bull Riders)."

The young athlete said, so far, life as a bull rider hasn't been easy and he has spent some nights in the hospital after getting bucked off.

In a sport that is one of the most dangerous, Cody said he believes in wearing a helmet for safety. "It keeps me safe. I helps my confidence level and I am more confident with my riding" when his head is protected.

The active FFA'er is also on the livestock show team and works in the family business - Hodges and Sons Construction Company. Plus, he occasionally finds time to do a little roping.

"I'm having fun," he concluded.

For more details and official rules on the Texas FFA Rodeo, go online to texasffa.org and click on rodeo.