RODEO PROFILE
OFF R ROCKER HELPING MAKE SURE RODEO COMPETITORS ARE NOT A DYING BREED hane Holland was riding his first steer during a Five Star Rodeo event at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, Florida. “Eight seconds is an eternity when you’re sitting on a bull,” the Florida native says of the experience at age 19.
Mathis, a schoolteacher and mom to 9-year-old Will, knew nothing about rodeo. But she was a skilled graphic artist and had the business savvy to help the couple get started.
That was in 1996. But it wasn’t long before Holland figured out he would do better on his feet, so he started bullfighting as blue-and-white-eyed Bullseye. From riding and fighting bulls to raising them, Holland experienced every aspect of the most dangerous rodeo sport.
When the March 2020 coronavirus quarantine was imposed, it provided a unique opportunity to work from home and to build Off R Rocker. They started the clothing brand with their kids so that they could see how genuine passion, great ideas and hard work could become a business that helps other kids chase their dreams too.
In September 2019, after 20 years of being out of touch, Facebook reconnected Holland with an old friend from high school—Rickelle Mathis. While catching up on life’s twists and turns, he shared his dream of helping a new generation of kids rodeo by designing a Western wear brand that would use its profits to help ease the burden of competition costs.
Tuff Holland (12 years old) loves the artwork side of the business. Tripp Holland (10 years old) and Will Mathis (9 years old) are in operations, aka the mailbox team. Masey Holland (6 years old) is the contest coordinator. In just a year, Off R Rocker has gathered almost 5,000 Facebook followers … and each day it grows a little more.
Will Mathis (left) and Tripp Holland run a booth at the Crescent City Red, White and Boom festival. AJ Class (center right), sponsored by Off R Rocker, receives a championship buckle and saddle from Leah Addison, Florida High School Rodeo Association queen, and Stephen Bruner, saddle-bronc director for that organization.
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PHOTOS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF SHANE HOLLAND
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Written by: Kelly McCoy
