May Rodeo Celebrity featured article by Gina Moore

In 1985 when Ted was on his way to the NFR, I was the reigning Miss Indian Rodeo of North America representing the INFR.  All of the big PRCA shows I was a guest of honor at, it was such a heart warming feeling to hear the announcer call out Ted Nuce during the bull riding.  I knew he was Indian, and I knew he was in the top 5 going to the NFR that year.  He was a inspiration to me when I was on tour, given the fact very few Native cowboys were competing at his level in 85.  Here is a story on Ted I just completed with him for the month of May.  Thank you Ted for your time, I look forward to writing more about your work for future bull riders. 

Ted Nuce

Who is your family?  Stephanie Nuce,  Wyatt  and Westyn

What projects are you working on now?  Bull Riding clinics?   I have been going around and speaking at clinics and then will be going to Billings, Montana for a clinic, then Cody Custer’s camp the 6, 7, and 8th of June

 
In your opinion, how do you feel about how bull riding has progressed the last 20 years?   Stock?   Riders?   Sponsors?   I think the money in the PBR has changed everything, guys can win a million bucks, the sponsors are very happy with the cowboys, they get television appearance out of it.  That just awesome.  The bulls there are no ranker bulls than what was in the past, the guys are breeding them, and herds are getting better. 

What pets do you own? Dogs, horses. 

You were in a Wrangler commercial some years ago, with the other world champions, walking out from a barn to Willie Nelson’s song “My Heroes have always been cowboys”.     What was it like being in that commercial?     That was a lot of fun, we had a great time doing the commercial. 

What is some of your favorite music, or favorite country songs you like?   Willie Nelson’s song, I like some George Strait songs. I don’t listen that much.  I am more into the news and stock market. 

What are some of your favorite movies?   John Wayne the Red River.   Sea Biscuit, Cinderella Man. 

What is your most all time favorite Bulls?  Great bucking bulls, bulls I won a lot of money on Wolf Man owned by Donnie Kish,  Red Wolf, and Red Rock cost me the world championship, there just been a lot a great bulls.  Pacific Bell, not my favorite but won a lot of money on him.  He bucked and he was mean.  

Of all the Indian rodeo’s you have been to, which one do you enjoy the most?    I always like going to Window Rock pro rodeo.  I went to the finals in ABQ,

Of all the rodeo’s in general you have competed in, which one did you enjoy the most? The NFR. My second pick is Calgary.  Cheyenne, Houston, SAT, Fort Worth.  


Advice to a a young bull rider who wants to ride bulls but is from a non rodeo family?   I would tell him get on as many good bulls as possible, practice as much as you can, be willing to pay the price it’s not cheap, if you don’t practice enough, lots of practice like a champion long before you become one.  
   
     Ted at the 2012 Rosebud South Dakota rodeo clinic with Hawkeye Henson and
Bronc Riding Nation's Lori Lee O'harver.  Picture courtesy of Heather Burnette.
 

Are you available for bookings for events, coaching, speaking?    There are certain times I can still be booked.

What is your schedule for summer of 2013? Just the ones we talked about Cody Custer’s event in June and on May 5^th    youth event in Texas.  The Montana Crow Nation event,  in July 27^th 28^th 29^th.  In August I might be going up to Rosebud SD. 

Who of the Indian bull riders you know,  impress you the most?  Why?   I don’t have relationships with the young bull riders now, Dave Best, was a good rider.  Howard Hunter in the bronc riding, Jess Knight.

 Thank you Ted for the interview!