Chicago-area cowboy’s bull riding dreams coming true

CHICAGO — Less than an hour from downtown Chicago, along a rural road in Sauk Village, you ‘ll see a sign for Timberland Ranch.

Down the tree lined drive is stable and that’s where you’ll find two city guys with cowboy hearts. 

Six year ago, we met Aaron Baxter and his horse. A fresh out of high school Aaron and his proud uncle Ron Vasser.

“A horse doesn’t care who you are, how much money you got or color or skin or whatever,” he said. “A horse cares about how you treat them and how you ride.”

While most kids in Chicago were caught up in Bulls jerseys and basketball dreams, Aaron had other plans: bull riding.

Aaron has since made his debut on the professional bull riders circuit.  The dream was real. 

Now with one foot still in the arena and the other in the future, he is looking beyond the 8 second ride.

“It’s important to  me to pass it on so that the legends don’t die like this,” he said. “Cowboy life is something  that’s rooted in American History. It’s rooted in Black History.”

You can follow Aaron on his Instagram account here and Ron on his Facebook page here.

He also has his eyes set on opening a therapeutic riding school.

“It’s an avenue to get better out of yourself, get better out of life and get better out of your situations and circumstances,” he said. “Because horses have absolutely saved me and I just want to pass it on”

Aaron says he’ll still got a few good rides in his future, including a run at the Professional Bull Rider’s rodeo this December at the United Center.