New Documentary Features North Dakota Native American Professional Bull Rider Stetson Lawrence

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Stetson Lawrence ranked among the top 25 bull riders globally until a second major injury derailed his career.

He was one of the few Native American professional riders.

The life of the Chippewa Sioux rodeo star who grew up near Williston, North Dakota is featured in a new documentary called “Another Eight Seconds”.

“I take it for granted honestly most of the time until I come back and see it and the land and how wide open it is and just how quiet it is here and peaceful,” said Stetson in the documentary.

We chatted with him over Zoom from his home in Montana.

“It was pretty good I thought, just a normal childhood, just small town of Trenton, just growing up. Nothing out of the ordinary that I thought of at the time or still do I thought it was a pretty good normal childhood.”

‘And Stetson Lawrence takes the wild ride!’

That’s where Stetson Lawrence’s love of the rodeo was formed.

“I was always interested in bull riding, my dad was a bull rider so we grew up around the rodeo.”

“Another Eight Seconds” takes you through Stetson’s life including the sudden loss of his number one fan.

“Well when Stetson was in high school he took the hardest blow he has probably had in his life, by losing his mom, Leva.”

To the highest of highs in his professional career as he became a 9-time PBR world finals qualifier.

Oh, gosh that was a horrible landing for Stetson!.

To the lowest of lows, first derailing his career.

Oh, no. Oh boy!

To a second blow that ended his run as a bull rider.

“Actually the second time basically if I land on the head again, I’ll be paralyzed from the ears down. I’d rather live a normal life. I had a great career and I wish I could accomplish more but I’d rather walk away and have a normal life the rest of my life.”

Stetson has recovered and is now living in Belgrade, Montana where he lives with his family. He has a gutter business and is still very much involved in rodeos.

“Help out with the MSU college here, Montana State college, some college rodeos. I do the college coaching there for the bull riders.”

You kinda have to be a daredevil don’t you?

“Yeah, definitely a daredevil and a little bit crazy at the same time.

He rides! He rides, keep going! He rides!

“Shows a little bit of determination can go a long ways I think.”

And you got a heck of a story to tell.

“Yeah, for sure.”

805 Beer, the makers of the documentary, sponsored Stetson for about 6 years.

He says even after he broke his neck, they stuck with him.

You can catch “Another Eight Seconds” streaming now on YouTube.