Another Eight Seconds: The Stetson Lawrence Story is available on You Tube.
Native American pro bull rider Stetson Lawrence was living the dream until that dream very nearly turned into a nightmare.
A nine-time PBR world finals qualifier, Lawrence had climbed to the top of world rankings — despite personal tragedies and earlier mishaps — when, in 2021, he landed on his neck while bull riding, and wound up requiring a metal plate and screws in his collar. After a period of recovery, he decided it was time to get back in the game — and, in 2022, landed badly on his neck again. His doctors issued a blunt-spoken warning: After he’d suffered two injuries in as many years, another impact on his neck would almost certainly paralyze him. Shortly afterwards, Lawrence retired from competition.
All of this and more is covered in director Keith Malloy’s artfully concise and emotionally powerful Another Eight Seconds: The Stetson Lawrence Story, a 16-minute black-and-white documentary depicting the fortitude that made Stetson a bull-riding legend — and the injury that changed his life forever. The 805 Beer production had its world premiere in Fort Worth last month, and currently is available for free viewing on You Tube.
The official synopsis: “Growing up in a rodeo family in Williston, North Dakota, Stetson Lawrence’s connection to bull riding ran deep. As horses were a way of life for them, the Lawrence family’s bond was held together with this passion and by Stetson’s mother, his biggest supporter. Stetson, a Chippewa Sioux Native American, ranks among the top 25 bull riders globally and is one of the few Native American professional riders. Another Eight Seconds offers a glimpse into Stetson’s childhood, the rodeo culture that shaped him, and the integral role his family played in his pursuit of bull-riding greatness. His story is one of resilience, tenacity, and the unwavering support of his rodeo community as viewers are taken into the next chapter of his life.”
Lawrence, who attended the premiere, gave the documentary his seal of approval: "Working on this documentary was more than a single ride — it became a tribute to my roots, the foundation of community in my life, and the unbreakable bond that has kept my family by my side every step of the way. It was an honor to work with 805 Beer, sharing my story and celebrating the competitive, thrilling spirit that defines bull riding. I hope it inspires others to face their challenges head-on, as I cannot wait to work on more projects with the team.”
We recently had the opportunity to chat with Stetson Lawrence. Here are some highlights from our conversation, edited for brevity and clarity.
Cowboys & Indians: Even though you’re retired from competition, you’re still involved with rodeo, right?
Stetson Lawrence: I’m actually helping out with the MSU College Rodeo Team. I’m helping the bull riders there, teaching them. Been working with them the past year, two years.
C&I: Do you ever feel jealous of the young men and women in the saddle?
Stetson: [Laughs] No, I don’t. I had my fair share of time in there, and I enjoyed it. Now I enjoy helping them, and showing them an easier way.
C&I: Is there an easy way to ride a bull?
Stetson: There is, actually, if you really want to break it down. But, yeah, when it really comes down to it, it’s tough work all around, for sure.
C&I: Was it at all painful to watch Another Eight Seconds?
Stetson: Oh, yeah. There was a lot of pain in there. Some really hurtful stuff, like losing my mom, and just expressing my feelings about that, and talking about that, it’s never easy. And then just seeing my career and watching the last couple of rides I’ve rode, and it just kind of ... I don't know, you get to miss it, and then it’s just like, bang. That was it.
C&I: Almost like a bolt from the blue.
Stetson: Yeah, it just that it sucks, the way that my career ended. So it hurts a little bit more, I guess, because I didn’t get to choose to be done. I think I was sitting sixth in the world at the time. I was having the best season of my career at that time, and I had the ball rolling in the right direction. I had myself figured out, more than anything.
C&I: And then you had to go in a different direction.
Stetson: Yeah, now I have to freaking learn to earn money a different way, and not live a crazy lifestyle, and [lose] the adrenaline rush. I got to slow life down a little bit.
Stetson: I would say don’t complain, because it’s going to hurt. And if you really want to do it, you better be tough.
C&I: What does your Native American heritage mean to you?
Stetson: It means a lot to me, I guess. I can see why I have the emotions and the feelings I have now. So it helped me understand myself and appreciate my relatives, and my great-grandparents growing up, and what they had to get through for me to be here. It’s pretty crazy.
C&I: Well, Stetson, you come out pretty well in this movie. Maybe some Hollywood types might see it, and you’ll be off on another kind of career?
Stetson: Hey, I’m open to anything. You never know what door opens up. And I’m dang sure going to see how many I can open, for sure.
C&I: Where are you living now?
Stetson: I live in Belgrade, Montana.
C&I: On a ranch?
Stetson: No, actually, I just live in a subdivision there. Eventually, yes, I do want to own maybe 20, 40 acres. But mainly, I just want to have horses. I like horses. I got a little girl now and she’s already into horses. Now, that might change. But I really look back on how I grew up, and I really cherish the western lifestyle. I look back, and I see I learned a lot from growing up around horses, and being around horses. I think it’s a good way to raise your children.
C&I: How old is your little one now?
Stetson: One.
C&I: Hey, that’s not too young. Some of our readers would say you should have had her in the saddle a long time ago.
Stetson: [Laughs] She’s been in the saddle already. But we try and keep her away from it because she likes it too much right now, and she needs to grow up for sure before we get too crazy with it.
C&I: What are you going to do if, somewhere along the line, she says, “Dad, I’ve seen this documentary, and this footage of you on the bull, and that looks like fun. I’d like to ride bulls myself.”
Stetson: Oh, man. I would let her try it if she wanted. I wouldn’t put her on a bull, but I would get her on a steer, or something in her caliber. But I don’t know. I’m not against it, but I’d definitely warn her of all the bad things that might happen.
