For 17-year-old Luke Rael, the thrill of rodeo began the moment he got bucked off.
“My first time I got on a bronc, I got thrown off and kicked around,” Rael said. “It was rough, but that was when I realized I loved it.”

The Questa High School senior, son of George and Lori Rael, has been chasing arena lights ever since. Inspired by his older brother George, who competed after high school, Rael first climbed into the chute at 15. A self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, he said the sport’s intensity hooked him early and hasn’t let go.

That passion carried him all the way to California two years ago, where he attended a professional rodeo school. Since then, Rael has been chasing rodeos across northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado, sharpening his skills and racking up wins.

“This summer I was searching for rodeos,” Rael said. “First was in Pecos — me and my buddies went out there. Got thrown pretty hard the first day. On the second day I rode a horse named Dollar and took first place. I didn’t score enough to bring a buckle home, but it pushed me to keep going.”

From Pecos to Manassa, Colo., to Springer, Rael kept entering, learning, and riding hard. Along the way, he’s already earned four first-place buckles — each one proof of progress on the path he hopes will lead to professional rodeo.

Rodeo runs in the Rael family. His brother, now married with two kids, recently decided he was going to step away from competition to focus on family, though Luke said it’s bittersweet watching him hang up the saddle.

His father, who owns an excavation business and an outfitting and hunting company, raised his sons around horses, equipment, and hard work. Luke has been riding since he was about 5 years old.

At first, his parents worried about the dangers of bronc riding. “But, when they saw I was good at it; they supported me,” he said.

Now, Rael is looking ahead. He competes in amateur rodeos but hopes to take the next step by getting his permit and pro card. His goal is clear: make his career a rodeo.

“My dad says those horses make you old,” Rael said with a laugh. “But I’m working to stay in shape to ensure I can keep doing this as long as I can. It takes passion, strength, focus, and determination — and I feel I have that.”

For Rael, the challenge, the risk, and the reward of rodeo are all part of the same pull. “It’s fun. Being an adrenaline junkie and being passionate about the sport, I want to go as far as I can,” he said.