By Matt Gade

605 Sports

HEREFORD — In South Dakota, few names are more associated with the sport of rodeo than then the name Elshere.

Sturgis alum Thayne Elshere is the latest in his family looking to make a name for himself in the pro rodeo circuit.

While Thayne is working to complete his circuit card to earn money in the world standings, the 20-year-old finds himself in the top-50 in the PRCA Playoff Series, currently sitting 41 heading into the weekend rodeos.

What separates Thayne from other Elshere competitors is the saddle bronc rider isn’t limited to just one event but also really enjoys competing in bull riding.

“I started out bull riding. That was the only event I did for a while, before bronc riding, and kind of clung to it,” Elshere said while on his way to the Central Wyoming Fair and PRCA Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. “I like the adrenaline rush it gives me, and, you know, it feels way better to make a great bull ride than it does a bronc ride. And I kind of just keep chasing that feeling and keeps me getting on.”

Thayne, who has competed for the Gillette College rodeo team, originally anticipated getting his pro card this season, but said due to injuries, he had to miss the early portion of the season and so has been working on getting his name out there in the meantime. 

“This year, it's kind of just get my qualification money up and kind of get my name out there for next year, my rookie year,” he said. “About really, the only goal (this year) is just to go into Waco, Texas, in the broncs and bulls and just punch my way into Houston.”

Thayne does a lot of traveling to rodeos with his older brother, Talon, who also competes in the saddle bronc.

He said the pair have logged somewhere between 15 and 20 thousand miles so far this summer.

Last year, Talon and Thayne competed against each other at the College Finals Rodeo as Talon competed for Casper Community College.

Thayne said growing up in a rodeo family, his dad, J.J., brother Talon and cousin Cole Elshere have served like coaches for him growing up.

“My cousin, Cole, he used to ride bulls,” Thayne said. “He loves it and he's glad that I'm doing it, and my dad, he used to ride bulls, but he doesn't anymore. But, I mean, they all love it, and they all support me still. There are a couple of people that are wondering why I still do both, but my whole family is super supportive.”
Thayne said since Cole no longer rides bulls, he’s been able to use some of Cole’s old gear and is grateful for that. But said Cole was really helpful in helping him flip the switch in his head on how to compete in both events at the same rodeo. 

“He’s just been showing me how to keep my head on straight and how to keep going,” 

Thayne said he’s been enjoying getting to compete in the big rodeos, competing against some of the best in the world. 

Thayne Elshere competes in the saddle bronc during the Kadoka Buffalo Stampede Rodeo on Friday, June 27. (Matt Gade/605 Sports)

But he said, the rodeos in Belle Fourche and Mandan, N.D., might be his favorites because they’re relatively close to family and friends.

“It's pretty hard to choose here in South Dakota,” Thayne said of his favorite rodeo. “But, I'd have to say probably Belle Fourche or Mandan (N.D.) were probably some of my favorite rodeos. They're just big rodeos and all my friends and family get to come out and watch, and it's just electric.”

Saddle bronc highlights so far this season include first place at the Gary Rodeo, third place at the (Kadoka) Buffalo Stampede Rodeo, second place at the San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo, second place at the Fargo (N.D.) PRCA Rodeo and second place at the Sioux City (Iowa) Stampede.

In bull riding, Thayne has won the American Royal Rodeo in Kansas City, Mo., took first place at the Lakeside Rodeo in California, and also finished first at the North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City, N.D.. 

Thayne also took second place in Kadoka at the Buffalo Stampede Rodeo along with a second-place finish at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo in Guymon, Okla., and second at The Desert Rodeo in Thermal, California. 

Thayne is looking to be the latest Elshere to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo as his career is just getting started.

“I love my last name,” Thayne said of being an Elshere. “My dad, he went to the NFR quite a few times, and, you know, I got a lot of family that's been to the NFR and we're just, I guess, trying to follow in those footsteps.”