About Us
Hello,
I am Ryson Sweeney, owner of Legacy 'R' Brand. Growing up, I was immersed in the Western lifestyle on my family's Cattle Ranch in Northeast Washington, fostering my love for agriculture.
The Legacy
When my dad retired from riding bulls professionally, my parents decided to start a small herd of rodeo bred cows. Their cattle brand became the Rising Star, featured in my logo and a symbol of their legacy. Living on my parent's ranch helped shape the person that I am today. Following in my parent's footsteps I am a second-generation bull rider and have started my own cattle herd. While my herd is currently small, a single Longhorn bull, I hope to grow it with time.
Early Years
Growing up I competed in a lot of different sports. At a young age I played soccer, but that was short lived. I naturally drifted towards Baseball and Basketball and eventually played Football too. I stuck with these three main sports all the way through Freshman year of High School. Going into my Sophomore year I decide to quit playing Football and run Cross Country instead. For the last three years of High School, I competed in Baseball, Basketball and Cross Country. Qualifying to run at the Washington State Championships two out of three years and making it to the State Basketball tournament my Senior year. These accomplishments earned me the Max Sanchez Male Athlete of the Year Award my senior year and the opportunity to compete collegiately in distance running.
Spokane Falls Community College Education
Going into the Fall of 2019, I started my freshman year of community college. I redshirted my freshman fall but was planning on competing in the spring in Track and Field. My main events were the 1500 meter and the Steeple Chase. Unfortunately, due to the state of the World in 2020 the Spring Track and Fall Cross Country seasons were canceled. I was, however, able to compete my sophomore year in Track. Which I had never done in my life. I ended that season in the top half of the conference for my main event of Steeple Chase. After my two years of community college, I took an entire year off to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up.
About this time, my parents had built a small pen of bucking bulls that we were taking to a practice pen regularly. This prompted me to begin riding bulls. In the late spring of 2021, I begun getting on bulls and haven't stopped since.
University of Idaho Education
In the Fall of 2022, I started my bachelor's degree at the University of Idaho. I had a major in Agricultural Economics: Agribusiness Emphasis with a minor in Business Marketing and Academic Certificate in Agricultural Commodities Risk Management. Moreover, during my time at the University I became a Student Ambassador for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where I helped with recruitment and alumni relations. At the University of Idaho, I competed in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association from Fall of 2022 to Spring 2024.
With this education pathway I am planning a career in the agriculture and western industry where I can carry on the legacy and traditions. In December of 2024 I completed my education at the University of Idaho and graduated.
Current
After completing my education, I accepted a position with a company in my hometown of Deer Park, Washington and am working there fulltime while doing my leatherwork on the side. While doing both of these I am continuing to ride bulls in the PRCA and other local open rodeos. Also, I am helping my parents on their Farm and Ranch operation.