After initially separating them, rodeo brings Olson brothers back together

Greeley Tribune (CO)

June 29--Funny how rodeo has a knack for bringing families together.

Even funnier how rodeo has again brought Logan and Jordan Olson together after initially being the reason they moved more than a thousand miles apart.

Jordan Olson, out of Surprise, Ariz., teamed with younger brother, Logan Olson, who now resides in Stephenville, Texas, during the team roping event in Monday's second day of the Greeley Stampede Rodeo at Island Grove Park.

The brother duo has been on a tear in recent days but saw their hot streak cool down a bit with a no-time in front of more than 5,000 fans at Stampede Arena.

"We had a good steer, we had a good chance there," said Logan, 35. "But, there are so many variables that could go wrong. That makes it hard to be consistent at this level and at this speed."

Like any tight-fit family, the Olsons are there for each other during the good times and the bad.

They have had plenty of good times recently, claiming first-place finishes at rodeos in Dickinson, N.D. on Sunday, and Ponca, Neb., on Saturday.

But, naturally, during leaner times -- like Monday at Stampede Arena -- the brothers remained right alongside each other, upbeat and quick to shrug off having an off-day. They will have the chance to get back on track with rodeos in Cody, Wyo., and Livingston, Mont., on Wednesday.

"That's kind of the way it goes, you've just got to forget the bad ones and move on to the next one," said Jordan, 36. "As much as you would like to say, 'I want to win every single one,' I'm not sure if there is anybody that ever does that."

While the Olson boys grew up in Flandreau, S.D., Jordan moved 1,520 miles southeast to Surprise 15 years ago.

During most of that time, Logan has lived 952 miles directly south from Flandreau, in Stephenville.

For both, the move was heavily inspired by their lofty rodeo ambitions.

"I went to Arizona for sunnier weather and more team roping, and (Logan) went to Texas kind of for the same thing," Jordan said.

Logan added, "Texas is better for rodeoing. It's a lot better than in South Dakota, where it's colder and windier."

When he's not roping steers with his brother, Jordan is running an insurance business in Surprise. Logan makes a living shoeing and training horses, as well as raising cattle.

The towns the brothers have settled in are 1,010 miles -- nearly half a country -- apart.

Each brother's respective career has pulled them away from the rodeo a bit after growing up within the industry.

Even while Jordan was building his insurance business, he could still hear the fast-paced world of rodeo persistently calling his name.

"Just the thrill of winning -- Once you've competed for awhile and you could experience the thrill of just winning, you don't ever lose that passion," he said. "And, to be able to do it against the best guys in the world and to be competitive and successful is very gratifying."

During the past two summers in which the brothers have reunited on the rodeo circuit, they have often rode side by side with Logan serving as the header and Jordan polishing off the job as the heeler.

As one might expect of brothers, Logan said he and Jordan have been a hand-in-glove fit as they've traveled up and down the rodeo circuit the past two years.

"All through high school and everything else, we roped together, and growing up, we always roped together," Logan said. "So, it's almost like second nature."

Greeley Stampede Rodeo

Standings (top 3) through Monday

Bareback riding -- Orin Larsen 85, Ryan Gray 83, Bobby Mote 79; Steer wrestling -- Cole Edge 3.7, Shayde Etherton 4.0, Cooper Shofner 4.1; Tie-down Roping -- Caleb Smidt 8.9, Rhen Richard 8.9, Michael Otero 9.0; Team Roping -- Coleman Proctor & Jake Long 4.9; Aaron Tsinigine & Ryan Motes 5.0; JoJo LeMond & Dakota Kirchenschlager 5.0; Barrel Racing -- Carley Richardson 17.17; Fallon Taylor 17.39; Mary Burger 17.48; Saddle Bronc Riding -- Clay Elliott 84; Tyrei Larsen 81; Taygen Schuelke 79; Bull Riding -- Bowyn James Allemand 80; Brock Russell 78; Bryce Barrios 71.