Bareback horses by summer and wrestling mat by winter. What’s helping the versatile and all-around cowboy by way of New Salem to the winner’s circle?

“Well, it’s pretty simple,” said Cole Gerhardt, “[It’s] the support I have surrounding me helping with the rough stock end of the arena to the roping chutes and all the way back to the wrestling mat.”

Cole has hit a hot streak this rodeo season in the North Dakota Rodeo Association (NDRA). Traveling with his family, the upcoming high school senior is currently winning the NDRA Men’s All-Around. He competes in four events: bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and team roping. Whatever event it may be, his dad, Lance, brother, Clay, and mother, Tina are at every rodeo helping saddle horses, get behind the chutes, or support him on the wrestling mat all season.

His most recent, highest-marked ride was at the Golden Valley Shootout/Wayne Herman Invitational Bareback Challenge held the evening of August 14. Wining the High School Bareback Showcase, Cole came home with a new Wildman Bareback Riggin from Larry Sandvick and a painted feather of Tanner Aus.

Golden Valley Shootout High School Champion [Photo: Tina Gerhardt]

“I’m so thankful for all the support I’ve had getting me to this point of rodeo. From David and Sheila Berg, Russ and Kami Kling, Jeff and Eva Hepper, Steve and Barb Waagen, Shane, and Cauy Gunserson for all the horses and coaching they have provided in the bareback riding,” Cole said.

David Berg said, “Where do I even start when talking about Cole. You just don’t see this kind of determination and want to get better attitude every day. He is such an athlete, but he listens, and he executes. It’s easy to teach kids like Cole — he never doubts and is a blank canvas absorbing every instruction that is given and just does it.”

The cowboy also couldn’t be competitive without the four legs underneath him in the timed events. “I lost my heeling horse in eighth grade, and Dan and Lori Reis provided me with a great horse named Spur. The Reis family has helped my journey so much, for so long,” added Cole.

The bulldogging horse Cole is riding came by way of South Dakota but was previously owned and trained by Tyler Schau of Almont, ND. Schau has helped coach the young cowboy in the bulldogging event. The 18-year-old calf mare known as Rosie is a family favorite. Cole and his brother started riding Rosie in junior high rodeos where they used her for the breakaway roping and ribbon roping, and eventually in the tie down.

Cole Gerhardt on beloved Rosie [Photo: Chuck Miner]

The Gerhardt family also has an upcoming rope horse stallion that Cole has been swinging a leg over, Tex, who was sired by Smooth Guy and a grandson of Texas High Dasher.

When it comes to wrestling, the gritty Morton County resident doesn’t back down. Holding a three-time state championship record on the North Dakota high school mats, Cole explained that his coach for the Holsteins, Dave Wolding, supports him in the gym and when he travels to the rodeos.

“The excitement and crowds at the NDRAs and the Golden Valley shootout were great. Getting to make memories throughout the years of junior high, high school, Rough Rider Rodeos, and now the NDRAs with my family is special to me. Being behind the chutes with these elite riders is huge,” stated Cole.

The all-around cowboy athlete said he is looking forward to his senior year of high school rodeo and has a goal to win the NDRA Men’s All-Around title finals this fall. He also said he is looking at colleges across the country where he plans on a business degree or going into education and coaching.

“Determined, he is determined to make it to the big time. I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to Cole’s attributes, but he is kind, sweet, and always smiling. His determination and personality are one of a kind,” added Dan Reis, rodeo supporter and family friend.

Cole said he is grateful for all of the support, from the Bubels providing calves to tie to his uncle Dallas and aunt Krissy Gerhardt and his grandparents, Fred and Rochelle Urlacher and Larry and Bernie Miller. With his cousins, Cash and Cooper Gerhardt following in his footsteps on the mat and in the arena, as well as many other North Dakota youth, this young gentleman is sure to make North Dakota proud wherever the rig takes him.