Colton McCary has Chance at World Champion Title After a 4th-place Finish at GHSRA State Finals

Colton McCary, an upcoming junior (Chattooga High School) and seasoned bull rider from Chattooga County, is heading to the 2025 National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in Rock Springs, Wyoming, after finishing 4th in bull riding at the Georgia High School Rodeo Association (GHSRA) state finals in Perry.

The GHSRA, affiliated with the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA), gives high school students (grades 9–12) across Georgia a chance to compete in rodeo events rooted in the traditions and grit of cowboy culture. The NHSRA encompasses 41 U.S. states, 5 Canadian provinces, and even competitors from Australia and Mexico, hosting more than 1,800 rodeos each year for its 12,000+ members. Colton will be among the elite heading west to compete for a world title this July.

“I feel grateful and honored to represent my home state in Rock Springs, Wyoming,” said Colton. “I’m excited to get a shot at competing against all the other top high school athletes across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Australia.”

Colton’s journey started at just four years old, riding sheep. He later progressed to steers, then junior bulls, and now rides high school-level bulls and competes in amateur rodeos. “The sport of bull riding is both mentally and physically demanding,“ he said. “You must have a passion for it, grit and determination, and respect for how dangerous it is.”

When asked if he gets nervous before a ride, Colton said, “No, I try to stay focused and not think about it. I try and picture what’s fixing to happen in a positive way.“

Standing at 5’10” and weighing just 140 pounds, Colton McCary regularly climbs aboard 2,000-pound bulls with one goal in mind: to hang on for a full eight seconds. Unlike traditional high school sports, rodeo is entirely self-funded and self-disciplined. There are no coaches, no scheduled practices, and no school-provided resources. All of Colton’s training is driven by personal commitment and family support.

He attributes his success to a rigorous routine that includes daily workouts in the gym, technique drills at home on a stationary and drop barrel, and intense balance training, standing on a ball to strengthen core stability. To stay competition-ready, Colton also practices weekly on live bulls with Ethan Ray and the 4L Rodeo Company. He credits mentors like Ethan Ray, Andy Ray, Hayden Burdick, and Sean Willingham for the invaluable guidance they’ve provided along the way.

“I would first like to thank the Lord for watching over me throughout the year of rodeos and bull ridings I travel to,“ he said. “It takes a lot of commitment for me and my family to travel up and down the road to rodeos, and it’s a blessing to have support from so many people.”

With grit and a clear focus on the challenge ahead, Colton McCary is ready to ride into Wyoming this summer and represent Georgia on the world stage.