Published: August 28, 2006 04:09 pm            

Newberry to ride at Ada PBR event

ADA — Jody Newberry climbed on his first bull in a practice pen at age 15. “I rode three out of four that day, so it went pretty well,” the Ada native recalls. Newberry won his first bull riding buckle the same year and went on to succeed in the Oklahoma Junior Rodeo Association before joining the Professional Bull Riders Association five years ago.

Newberry will join the top 45 bull riders in the world to compete for $25,000 in prize money in the Southern Oklahoma PBR Challenge Tour at the Pontotoc County Agri-plex Sept. 1-2.

The 25-year-old bull rider has total career earnings of $782,655.74 and carries the number 3 on his back while in the ring.

Standing 6 foot 2 inches tall, Newberry is one of the tallest riders on the tour. “I do not always have the best technique or form because of my height,” he said. The Oklahoma native is obviously doing something right. He won the 2003 PBR World Finals title, which gave him enough money earned to clinch Rookie of the Year honors as well. That same year, Newberry was also honored with the Lane Frost/Brent Thurman Award after a 94.5 point ride aboard Little Yellow Jacket.

Now living in Conway, Ark., while his wife Amanda finishes college, Newberry says his life has been blessed in many ways.

“In 2003 I won the average at the PBR World Finals as well as Rookie of the Year. With the money I won at the finals, I started a business with my brother, Cody and dad, Terry, — Newberry’s Excavating, LLC of Ada.

“God has continued to bless me. I finished third in the world this past year and placed 6th in the average at the finals. I look forward to each ride I make and enjoy the challenge of getting on the best bulls in the world every weekend.”

Newberry said he was called to be an evangelist at the age of 12 and is now an ordained minister.

“I enjoy spending time ministering to others on the road and every other opportunity I get. Life has not always been easy for me. I have had my struggles, but through everything, God has stayed by my side and helped see me through the bad times.”

June 5, 2005 Newberry married his best friend, Amanda, and adopted her daughter, Shaylea. The couple also has a son, Trevor James Newberry, born Aug. 9, 2005.

His parents, Terry and June Newberry, still live in Ada. Besides his twin brother, he also has two older sisters, Tammy and Alisha.

        

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