Today we’d like to introduce you to Fred Nordt
Hi Fred, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up on the East End of Long Island in the hamlet of Hampton Bays, NY. Which most people don’t know is growing up in the country part of Long Island. If you travelled 8 miles east of my town you would have John Deere tractors blocking the back roads because of all the farms and horse ranches. There were a few cattle ranches on the East End of the Long Island as well. Including the oldest documented cattle ranch in the country called The Ranch in Montauk.
I have been a fan of the western lifestyle for as long as I can remember. watching westerns especially the ones with John Wayne in them. I also was a fan of the TV show Walker Texas Ranger. Which as most people know was taped in Dallas, Texas area. I started watching the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) around 2015 and attended what used to be the season opened at Madison Square Garden in New York City. I also attended the only PBR event to be held at Nassau Colosseum located Nassau County on Long Island. I instantly fell in love with the sport. I retired from Law Enforcement after 26 and ½ years and moved to Texas. I started to attend more PBR events and other rodeos. I wanted to do something in the western sports area after being in Texas for a couple years and was looking at options out there. I started thinking about getting into owning rodeo bucking bulls but wasn’t sure how. I had come into some money for a not so good reason. My Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer at the beginning of October 2022 that had already spread to her liver. She unfortunately passed away at the end of that month at age 75. At the time my aunt, who was married to my mom’s brother, was dealing with cancer also. My Aunt passed away about 5 weeks after my mom. My Mom’s brother had passed away 5 years earlier and they had no children. My aunt left my mom money in her will. My sister and I split what I called bonus money because it was even more unexpected than the money we got from my mom’s passing. I started thinking of things to do with the money so it would have a lasting memory of my mom.
I worked a PBR Teams combine events in 2023 being held at the coach of the Texas Rattlers Cody Lambert’s ranch and became friendly with a bunch of PBR bull riding legends and stock contractors. That is where I first met Cord McCoy of McCoy Rodeo and the coach of the Oklahoma Freedom team. At that time, he had the 2-time defending bucking bull of the year in Ridin’ Solo. I decided to reach out to Cord and see if he knew of anyone looking for an investor for bulls at the end of the PBR Teams season. He replied to me “Let’s go shopping!” I attended one of Cord’s bull auctions at his ranch. I ended up buying half interest in a son of Ridin’ Solo with Cord using some of my mom’s inheritance money. I named the bull Ridin’ Apollo after my German Shepard I lost to cancer in 2013. I started my bull riding company after. I named the company using by mom’s initials of CJS. So that is how CJS Bucking Bulls, LLC came into existence. I only have one bull right now but plan on buying at least one more this year. My mom now looks down from above and says “Freddy, I own a bucking bull!” To which I say Yes you do Mommy!!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road hasn’t always been smooth due to dealing with a live young bull. The bull has a mind of its own and doesn’t always do what he is supposed to. So, we are dealing with some growing pains. My partner will keep on training and he will eventually get it. It is a slow process but the end results will be worth it to see Ridin’ Apollo on TV one day at a PBR event.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is investing in rodeo bucking bulls and building a brand. We specialize in investing in the future of rodeo bulls through our stock contractor partners. I am proud to have named the company after my mom. I am working on building the CJS Bucking Bull brand through sponsoring future bull riders in Kansas, sponsoring small town bull riding events, and posting on Facebook and Instagram. I do offer company merchandise for sale on my Facebook and Instagram pages. In the near future I will be starting a podcast for new fans of bull riding.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
The fun of growing up in a small town on the East End of Long Island, NY.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjsbuckingbulls?igsh=MWFydnJuNDgxYjdubw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/12F2kJQ66Jq/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-nordt-3593821a6?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/CGfZjZqi1KzaL5Fv6
Image Credits
Gustafson Photo’s
