Winning Hearts One Rodeo at a Time
Emily and Elliot French of Lone Oak Western Productions
by Crystal Han.
It’ s rare to hear a young person seriously declare they want to become a cowboy these days.
For many, the life of a cowboy seems relegated to movies and shows, not real life.
Not only are companies like Lone Oak Western
Productions changing that perception, they’ re ensuring that cowboy culture continues for generations to come.
For Elliot French, Lone Oak’ s co-founder, rodeo and bronc riding have always been an intrinsic part of ranch life and cowboy culture. He grew up with it and competed professionally for ten years. When it came time to retire from the sport, Elliot knew he wanted to stay involved however he could, so he began breeding and raising bucking horses.
Today, Lone Oak breeds elite PRCA( Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) quality bucking horses that compete in professional rodeos. The company also hosts local events, like their annual Bucking Bash in conjunction with the San Benito County Fair in Hollister, as well as teaching bronc riding lessons.
For Elliot and his wife and co-founder of Lone Oak, Emily, rodeo is more than a business. It’ s a way of life that emphasizes family, camaraderie, and community.“ Bronc riding is really unique because they’ re not competing against each other, necessarily. Everyone’ s rooting for each other,” Emily said. Despite only getting paid if they win, the riders support each other rather than tear each other down. They genuinely want to see everyone do their best.“ It kind of forms these bonds with the riders. They group together and share travel expenses and really help each other out,” Elliot said. To help foster this positive spirit, Lone Oak uses their riding class proceeds to sponsor bronc riders who want to compete professionally.
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