Early High School Years

When I first started out, it was all about getting on as many bulls as possible. I rode steers and heifers at the very beginning, then started entering little junior rodeos and heading to practice pens whenever I could. Some nights I climbed down on ten or more bulls just to get better, and just as often I came away with sore ribs, broken bones, and plenty of stomping’s to remind me how much I had to learn.

Once I got into high school, I entered rodeos through a few different youth associations. In those early years, I could still barely ride anything, but it wasn’t from a lack of effort. If a stock contractor would run a bull in, I was climbing on. It was more grit than glory back then, but those rides were the foundation that eventually carried me forward.

Young bull rider in striped shirt riding a brown bull during a high school rodeo, surrounded by cowboys near the chutes.
Michael Lewis riding a bull in his freshman year of high school, moments before experiencing his first hang-up in competition.
Bull rider caught in a hang-up as the bull bucks, rodeo clowns rushing in to help during a high school rodeo.
Michael Lewis caught in his first bull riding hang-up as rodeo clowns move in to protect him during his freshman year of high school.
Young bull rider in striped shirt and cowboy hat making his first qualified ride in a rodeo during his freshman year, exiting the chute on a spotted bull.
The opening jump out of the chute on my very first qualified ride in a rodeo.
Freshman bull rider leaning forward on a spotted bull mid-ride, holding on tightly as the bull bucks in the arena.
Midway through my first qualified ride—holding on as the bull gained speed and power.
Freshman bull rider finishing his first qualified ride on a bucking spotted bull, leaning forward with one arm raised for balance.
Nearing the whistle on my first-ever qualified bull ride in a rodeo.
Freshman bull rider on a strong, powerful bull leaving the chute, wearing a striped shirt and leather chaps as the bull charges forward.
Facing a bull that was well above my experience level, this freshman ride didn’t last long but taught me a lot.
Freshman bull rider in a vest and white cowboy hat getting on a powerful bull inside the arena chute, captured in mid-buck.
Early in my bull riding days, I was accident-prone and got jerked down and hung up to this bull during my freshman year.
Young bull rider in a purple shirt and black cowboy hat rides a speckle-faced bull mid-buck in an outdoor rodeo arena.
By my sophomore year, I was still struggling to cover bulls, but I was falling off a lot cleaner—even if I was still getting my bell rung often.
Young bull rider in a blue plaid shirt and black cowboy hat being protected by a rodeo clown during a ride on a light-colored bull at an outdoor arena.
By sophomore year, the rides began to blur together. I don’t remember this bull or how the ride went, but moments like this show how much I was pushing through the learning curve.
Young bull rider in a light blue shirt and black cowboy hat riding a speckled bull named Strawberry at the Weatherford, TX high school arena.
Riding Strawberry at the Weatherford High School arena. My form was finally starting to come together, and I think I made the whistle on this one.
Young bull rider in a plaid shirt and black cowboy hat riding a black bull with a white face at a high school rodeo, surrounded by spectators and cowboys in the chute.
Another sophomore year ride at a high school rodeo. I don’t remember the bull or the outcome of this one, but it was part of the many rides that built my early experience.
Cowboy in plaid shirt riding a red and white bull named Herbie as it bursts out of the chute, with bullfighters ready to assist.
Michael Lewis begins his ride on Herbie, a fun red and white bull, bursting from the chute during a sophomore year high school rodeo.
Cowboy holding strong on a red and white bull named Herbie in mid-buck, showing control and balance during a high school rodeo.
Michael Lewis rides Herbie in mid-buck, showing improved form and control during his sophomore year of bull riding.
Young bull rider bursts out of the chute on a powerful speckled bull, beginning a dangerous ride.
The ride begins with power and intensity as the bull explodes from the gate. This ride results in a shattered ankle
Bull rider caught and hung up on a speckled bull, dragged while bullfighters rush in.
Michael Lewis gets caught up, pulled into a dangerous position as the bullfighters move quickly. This ride results in a shattered ankle
Bull rider Michael Lewis dragged and slung violently as bullfighters try to intervene.
A brutal moment as the rider, Michael Lewis, is slung around, still hung up, while bullfighters dive in. This ride results in a shattered ankle
Bull rider Michael Lewis freed after wreck, visibly injured, supported by bullfighters in arena.
The aftermath of disaster — the rider is freed, but the damage is already done. This ride results in a shattered ankle