At Indiana Agriculture & Technology School (IATS), students are encouraged to pursue their passions while continuing to grow academically – and junior Ray Weintraut is a great example of what that looks like in action.
As a student in the IATS virtual program, Ray has the flexibility to balance his schoolwork with an exciting opportunity: competing as a youth bull rider on the PBR Velocity Tour. While traveling and training for competitions across the Midwest, Ray stays committed to his education, completing his coursework on the road and keeping his grades strong.
Bull riding has taught Ray valuable lessons in discipline, focus, and time management – skills that also help him succeed in the classroom. With support from his family and the flexibility of IATS, he’s able to chase big goals while staying on track for his future.
We recently spoke with Ray’s mom to learn more about how he got started in bull riding, what life on the road is like, and how IATS helps make it all possible.
How did Ray get into bull riding? Ray had asked to leave school sports to start Racing dirt bikes. His first year he was awarded 2nd place over all. One of his friends came to watch him race and then he went to watch him bullride. Ray came home and gave his mom and step dad a 2 hour speech on why he should get to try. We reached out to Midwest Youth and he got on his first bull. He came with a huge smile.
How long has he been involved? Ray started riding at the end of 2023.
What’s it like being in the PBR Velocity Tour? Ray has to go to qualifiers in order to be able to ride. He qualified for Grand Rapids this year and it was the first time riding in the PBR. He is hoping to qualify for the Ohio. The past year Ray was the JR Judge for the Kentucky PBR. Ray said that he was nervous. His nerves grew when he learned he would have to hold his rope differently. Those nerves went away when he got on his bull and he went into riding mode. He said it was cool to meet and have discussions with the pros.
Where does the tour go, and what’s been your favorite place you’ve traveled? The tour goes all over the US. The ones near us are in Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky.
What kind of training is required? The training involves working out, practicing on a barrel and going to practice pens. Ray drives to Illinois on Wednesdays and on Sundays to practice at C Cross.
What’s a regular day look like for Ray? Ray wakes up and completes his lessons and then he practices. Ray then works and if it’s a practice day he drives to his practice.
How does IATS fit into his schedule with training and touring? IATS allows Ray to do his school work prior to an event even when traveling there. IATS allows Ray to take his schooling with him even when his travels out of state, for example when he competed at the world finals in Utah.
What are his upcoming bull riding goals, in the next 3-5 years? In the next 3-5 years Ray is looking to have his PBR card and PRCA. Being able to make it to the IMBA world finals and the PBR is thanks to Next Generation Bull Riding.
What else is Ray up to? In the past Ray has attended clinics at Rugged Cross (Illinois), cowboy church camp Trail to the Cross (Missouri), C Cross (Illinois) for practice, IMBA world qualifier, 3rd place at IJRA (Indiana Junior Rodeo), member of Double T (Kentucky), covered at Hatcreek in Ohio, PAC in Crawfordsville Indiana. He has also rodeo at YCR in northern Indiana, MYTRA in Michigan and events held by NGBR. He is also a member of the Indiana High School rodeo.
Ray is also active in his local 4-H and currently is the Treasurer for the Junior Leaders. He has represented Indiana for 4-H in Washington DC discussing the importance of bonding with your livestock.
