Yvan Jayne

Yvan Jayne: Rider Up!CountryStyle, TX Magazine | March/April 2003
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Yvan Jayne: Rider Up!
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There is a rising star amongst us called Yvan Jayne (pronounced Evan Jane) who gives new meaning to the term, "over achiever."Possessing an inherent love of horses, and showing determination from an early age, Yvan performed in a Wild West show in his hometown of Cuges Les Pins, France located near the French Riviera prior to coming to the United States.When a group of American cowboys competing in France saw this young man trick riding in the show, they asked if he would like to cross the Atlantic to the United States.That exchange led to his becoming involved with the Program for Academic Exchange.With resolve and determination, he saved his earnings and implemented a plan.Jayne came to Magnolia before his junior year of high school.In August 1998, Jayne moved in with his host parents, Dr. and Mrs. Mark Rigby.
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The relationship between Yvan and the Rigbys would become a deep and meaningful one. (Yvan now refers to Dr. Rigby, an equine veterinarian, as "Pa".) Aware that the youth wanted to be a cowboy, Rigby enrolled the new member of the family in the Sankey Rodeo School.
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While in attendance at Magnolia High School, Yvan learned about The Texas High School Rodeo Association (THSRA) from a friend.Five months later he entered his first competition, an event that was to shape the youth's life.It was not to be smooth sailing, however.Yvan suffered a broken arm while bull riding during the 1998 school year, and could not compete in the finals.He came back strong, however, and his ability to excel won him the Region IX Championship in Bareback and Saddlebronc riding as well as becoming the State Champion of the THSRA in Bareback riding in 1999. During a personal interview, the tall, slender twenty year-old was asked what other titles he had won.Shyly, he answered, "Well, I qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming in 2001 and 2002."This is no small feat given his relatively recent introduction to the sport.When asked how often he was able to return home to visit, he replied that for the past five years he has gone home every summer.And his mother has traveled here twice and has seen much of the country.Having such a strong work ethic, Yvan does not return simply to relax as most would, but always manages to find a job in his native France.Disneyland Paris has offered him a position in their Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show for this coming summer."It would be quite an opportunity since it is the most famous of such shows in Europe.Unfortunately," he continued, with just a hint of an accent, "In order to achieve my goal I need to stay here this summer and qualify for the Circuit Finals with the Professional Rodeo Association." Given his talent, it is no surprise that Yvan rode his first horse at an early age."I guess I rode almost from the time I was born.As a young woman, my mother did trick riding in the Wild West show and put me on a horse when I was about a year old to take a picture.I fell off on the other side and she thought she had killed me," he said, grinning broadly.Yvan was excited to relate that recently his rodeo coach at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville informed him that the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) asked for some members of the team to participate in a non-public rodeo just for fun and to test the equipment.This rodeo, which took place in February, was the first rodeo performed at Reliant Stadium in Houston.The day after his interview Yvan was scheduled to ride in the PRCA rodeo in Lake Charles, LA on Saturday and in another on Sunday in Los Fresnos, TX, near Brownsville."I was lucky to draw two of the best horses that went to the National Finals in Las Vegas," he offered."Their names are Cactus Jack and Wildflower."Furthermore, from February 28-March 1, Sam Houston State College Rodeo will hold the first ever college rodeo to be televised.One has to wonder when Yvan finds the time to sleep.Yvan has been a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association for two years.In addition to his outstanding performance in Bareback and Saddlebronc riding he graduated from high school as an honor student with 15 extra hours of college credits.His academic achievements have earned him several scholarships to Sam Houston State, where he is majoring in Agribusiness.
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After receiving his degree, Yvan would like to work for a company such as Purina or Red Bull.But his first love and main focus is to become a professional rodeo performer.Jayne also plans to apply for United States citizenship.If youth holds the future of this country, we should welcome those with the talent, drive and ambition of the young Frenchman named Yvan Jayne.CS