GLADEWATER, Texas — KTBS 3 contributor Bethany Nolan is on the ground at the Gladewater Rodeo, getting a firsthand look at the excitement as the annual event gets underway.
 
Nolan met with rodeo president Kyle Moore and bullfighter Mike Driver to preview what visitors can expect throughout the week.

Moore says the event starts Wednesday with extreme bull riding, featuring top stock and competitors, including riders connected to the National Finals Rodeo.

“It’s going to be a great time,” Moore said, highlighting a full lineup that includes barrel racing, bull riding, and more.

Driver's true calling

Driver, who grew up in the heart of Alabama, said although life has taken him to several places over the years, the road always led him back home. As a teenager, he fell in love with the world of rodeo — especially bull riding. But with his height working against him in the chute, Driver discovered that his true calling wasn’t on the back of a bull, but in the dirt protecting the riders. Bullfighting became his passion, his purpose, and ultimately his career.

In 2018, Driver earned his PRCA card, marking a major milestone in his professional journey. Since then, he has built an impressive record, including eight selections to work the PRCA Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo. In 2020, he was also chosen to work the prestigious NFR Open, a testament to his skill, awareness, and dedication inside the arena.

When he’s not stepping into the line of fire to keep riders safe, Driver can be found shoeing horses or spending time with his son, Cooper. Family and hard work ground him, but the arena is where he feels most alive.

For Driver, the heart of bullfighting is simple: protection. He thrives on being the steady presence in the chaos, the one who steps in when things go wrong.

“Being there for others and being able to take control of the situation when things are out of control,” he says, “is a rush.”

With a career built on courage, instinct, and heart, Mike Driver continues to be a trusted protector in the arena and a respected figure in the rodeo world.

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The rodeo, which runs through Saturday, also features vendors, food, and shopping, making it a community favorite that continues to support local scholarships and bring families together year after year.

For more information visit gladewaterrodeo.com.