About Us

---

 Cauy Gunderson has been working behind the scenes in the bucking‑bull world since he was eight or nine. He grew up hanging flanks, flanking bulls, working the stripping chute, and doing whatever job needed doing. Rodeo production isn’t something he learned -it’s something he lives.

In 2013, at a PBR event in Sidney, Montana, he shoot‑bossed his first performance. Bailey Pro Rodeo used to produce eight or nine PBRs a year, and that night became a turning point. He still remembers Brady Sims ,a multi‑time PBR Finals qualifier ,telling Shane he’d never been yelled at by a 13‑year‑old like he had the night before. For Cauy, that proved he could keep a show rolling even as a kid.

That same year, Facebook changed how he helped run events. St. John’s was always tough to fill, so Cauy started messaging riders and quickly realized social media was becoming the new call‑in line. As he got older, he kept building relationships with a new generation of riders -many of whom became friends, family, and part of the crew, helping set up arenas, trading labor for fees, and growing alongside the stock.

Cauy and Shane agree on one thing: the Badlands Series may be amateur, but they run it like a professional outfit. These events buck younger bulls and give riders a place to learn, grow, and step up. Some of these events have been running 20–25 years since Shane started Badlands in 2000, and now Cauy takes pride in keeping them alive. They may not be the flashiest, but they matter,to the bulls, the riders, and the future of the sport.

He’s watched generations come through. Kids who once rode mini bulls in the Duel in the Dirt series are now PRCA cowboys. Brody Nelson is one example from mini bulls to winning over $30,000 in the PRCA Badlands Circuit. Before Cauy took over, riders like Zach Peterson, Nathan Schaper, Stetson Lawrence, Ross Lewis, and Matt Triplett were regulars who later became PBR Cup athletes. Watching riders and bulls take the next step has always been one of his favorite parts of the job.

The no‑membership format has always been a strength. Years ago, Bailey Pro Rodeo bucked bulls at the Wells County Fair on Thursday, then Chad Berger’s PBR ran Friday and Saturday. Because there were no memberships, PBR riders like Pistol Robinson, Travis Briscoe, and Chase Outlaw would show up at the small‑town Thursday night bull riding. Big names in small arenas, that’s the magic of the Badlands.

For Cauy, the series is for everyone, 16 and learning, 28 and in a slump, or a PBR guy needing a tune‑up. Everyone needs practice. Everyone needs a place to get better. And he takes pride in putting on a show while giving riders and bulls room to grow.

Over the years, he’s kept a loyal labor crew ,friends from high school, younger riders, and kids eager to learn. When they all got their licenses, weekends meant loading up and heading to whatever bull riding was next. Today, he still takes young riders down the road to PRCA rodeos, letting them see the big guys compete and realize they’re only one step away.

From mini‑bull kids to PBR qualifiers, from young bulls to seasoned campaigners, from small‑town arenas to big‑time dreams ,Cauy Gunderson has been part of every step. He’s committed to keeping the tradition alive, helping the next generation rise, and making sure every event, big or small, truly matters.