An Amazing Young Athlete

After a bunch of years in the business, it takes a lot to impress me.   I’ve photographed rock stars, presidents, heck, even John Wayne.   On Friday night, while covering the 66th Annual Taylor Rodeo, in my little town of Taylor, Texas, I found myself in complete awe of 19-year-old bareback bronc rider Taylor Howell, who hails from Salado, Texas.   You see, Taylor has been blind since the age of 2.  Not long after losing his sight, he got interested in rodeo.   Not just rodeo either, but one of the toughest parts of this demanding sport, bareback bronc riding, an event that’s demanding for a fully-sighted person.   I’d been at the event for quite a while before learning about Taylor.  He’s a pretty soft-spoken fellow who doesn’t ask for any special favors or treatment.    What finally clued me in were his two helpers, his cousin, 13-year-old Blaze Williams, and Taylor’s brother, Dylan Oudekerk, 11. right there to lend their help, and their sight.   The one thing this group of photos doesn’t have is action of Taylor in the arena, but I think you get the idea.   And I may not be done with telling his story.  These few photos are part of my rodeo coverage for the Williamson County Sun.