By Rich Winter

Couldn't help but notice when Lante Layn Swallow posted a video of himself riding a bull down in Texas recently. It has been a minute since Swallow had ridden any kind of critter and the moment was not lost on this young man. 

"Well, it's been a long journey and I'm glad to say I finally got the rust knocked off me thanks to the Knapp family for letting me come out and get two ride yesterday evening," Lante said. "I'm thankful for opportunities that creator has given me. It's been a long process and I've been waiting for this moment and can't wait to be fully back on the rodeo trail." 

When Lante Lynn Swallow was eight years old his mother, Sheralyn Swallow married Red Cloud cross-country and track coach Russ Cournoyer. At an early age Swallow told his step-dad he wanted to ride bulls. 

"The first thing he told me is if you want to do this you have to earn it," Swallow said. "He started by putting me on bareback horses saying, 'If you wanna ride you have to get on this horse' Those little things helped me learn patience and how to build towards something."

Swallow spent some time on Cournoyer's cross-country teams. During that growing up period Swallow says Cournoyer helped him grow up and instilled a solid work-ethic. 

"He came into my life when I was eight," Swallow said. "He's been in my life since and I'm thankful Creator put him in my life."

"After high-school I had a full ride scholarship to college in Odessa, Texas," Swallow said. 

The collegiate rodeo career came to an end when Swallow tore his PCL wile competing. 

"My knee got bent into my chest, he said. "Doctors told me I could have surgery or go to rehab with the slight possibility I could ride in the summer" 

Swallow chose Physical Therapy and staying in school. 

"I finished up this year with an Associated Degree in welding and fabrication," he said. 

Swallow lives in Azle Texas and that work-ethic is serving him well. 

"I build metal buildins, weld-ups and bulk-ups," he said. 

Swallow finished his physical therapy on April 19th but the doctor encouraged him to take another month off. Swallow decided to take several months off to work on his body, and his MIND. 

"I wished I had taken more time to train before this injury," he said. "I need to take better care of my body, let my knee heal correctly and get stronger."

Swallow has an ace in the hole to help him through the TUFF times. Girlfriend Bally Bilby moved to Texas and the two are now building a life together. 

While in college, Swallow had every rodeo tool at his disposal. He doesn't have all those tools but he's appreciting accumulating them on his own while looking forward to getting back to the circuit

"I'm feeling a lot better about this year and the end of the year," Swallow said. "I think I'll take another year to prepare for PRCA and try to get my card."

Goals? They never stopped in Swallow's mind. 

"When I do make it to the PRCA I'm shooting for rookie of the year," He said.