At the tender age of sixteen Tim Lepard sat on a bull named Tire rod. About three seconds later he was thrown off.
It was beginning of his rodeo career which has now spanned three decades. Wolf Point, MT residents will be able to view his comedy show along with his animal partners nicknamed Team Ghost rider at this years Wild Horse Stampede on July 9 through July 11. The animal group is made up of dogs, monkeys and sheep.
Tim “Wild Thang” Lepard became interested in rodeo as a way of competing with his older brother Ricky, who served as a Green Beret, and highly decorated military enlistee. Ricky had some success bull riding in the military rodeo circuit and Tim was eager to follow
him.
“All I wanted to do was be like him,” Lepard said. “I was determined
to be a bull rider.”
Over the course of his 30 year career Lepard has been both a rider and bull fighter and has fallen victim to nine major surgeries as a result. Now the Memphis TN native, has put together an animal show centered on comedy. He uses a red, white and blue theme throughout the show as a dedication to his brother and his country.
The animals in his show have now become part of his passion.
“They are my life,” Lepard said, who believes the animals are like family members to him.
The show is being sponsored by Independence Bank of Poplar in MT. Cherry Colgan, a loan officer at the bank said the stampede is an exciting tradition and this year should be no exception.
"I have been going to the rodeo since I was kid,” she said. "It's the stampede, you just gotta go."
Mike Leinen the branch president of the bank said the stampede means a great deal to the residents of Wolf Point, but its significance does not stop there.
“It means quite a bit to Poplar [as well].”
He also expressed excitement for this years show and is also very happy that Independence Bank will be able to contribute to the festivities.
Leinen believes Tim Lepard and Team Ghost rider will not disappoint.
“It should be great family entertainment and we're just happy to be part of it.”
“Wild Thang” is no stranger to the spotlight. He is a three time winner for comedy act of the year. In the International Finals Rodeo showcase he won “Comedy & Dress Act” a total of six times, and he has been featured on America’s Funniest Home Videos, FHM Magazine, Sports Illustrated, the Jay Leno Show and Steve Harvey’s “Big Show.”
In regards to his upcoming show in Wolf Point Lepard was bold enough to make one prediction.
“We’re going to rock the house,” he said.
For more info check out Tim's Web site at http://www.teamghostriders.com/
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