Eight amateur bull riders. One dream. One of the fastest tracks to the sport’s highest level. But as “Last Cowboy Standing” proves, the fast track isn’t always the best track — unless you’re truly ready for it.

FOX Nation’s newest original series, hosted by PBR’s own sideline reporter Kate Harrison, delivers an inside look at what it takes to make it in the world’s toughest sport.

Harrison is a true cowgirl herself, growing up on a horse in Southern California, the daughter of a team roper and professional stuntman. In high school rodeo, she competed in the California State Finals all four years in multiple events — including one year with a broken leg — and in the National Finals three times.

Harrison knows the mentality it takes to succeed in a punishing sport like bull riding, and she does a phenomenal job leading viewers through a monthlong test of grit, heart and potential.

The winner of the competition Harrison hosts over 10 episodes earns four guaranteed spots on the premier Unleash The Beast (UTB) tour — the most prestigious tour in all of bull riding — and possibly a path into the PBR Camping World Team Series. That means a shot at the world championship, a million-dollar bonus and a life few ever get to live. The stakes? Everything.

Meet the Coaches: Legends in Their Own Right

The series wouldn’t work without great coaches — and “Last Cowboy Standing” has two of the best.

First is J.W. Harris, a name synonymous with toughness and grit. A four-time PRCA World Champion Bull Rider (2008, 2009, 2010, 2013), Harris qualified for the National Finals Rodeo nine times from 2006–14 and made three trips to the PBR World Finals. He was also named the PBR Rookie of the Year in 2014. I had the honor of traveling the same circuit as Harris briefly back in September 2011, and I can tell you firsthand — he’s the real deal.

Alongside him is Joe Frost, a man whose last name carries a legacy all its own. Frost put together a stellar — yet sadly short-lived — career, qualifying for the NFR five times from 2014–18 and making it to the PBR World Finals in 2019. Injuries may have cut his run short, but Frost continues to impact the sport through Frost Legacy Bull Riding Schools, and his ability to teach the fundamentals is second to none.

Together, Harris and Frost bring unmatched wisdom and intensity to the series. They don’t sugarcoat anything, and they’re not here to coddle anyone.

Why? Because the bulls these riders will face on the UTB are the rankest on Earth.

This isn’t a sport for the faint of heart. Every time a man puts his hand in that bull rope, he knows it could be the last time.

A Month of Tests, Triumphs and Tough Lessons

Across the first three episodes, one thing became clear: some of these riders came ready, and some didn’t. Quite frankly, a few of them looked like they hadn’t been on a bull in years — and that’s disappointing, given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they were handed.

But then there are others who show real potential. You can see it in how they ride, how they listen and how they adapt.

The fundamentals of bull riding are the same across the board — what changes is how each coach teaches them. Harris and Frost emphasize proper chute procedure, balance, mental toughness and grit. If you don’t have the basics down by now, you’re behind. And yet, some of these guys looked like they were starting from scratch.

In addition to bull riding, the series incorporates other challenges: trivia about PBR history, exercises in balance and coordination, and moments that push these men to their limits physically and mentally. It’s more than just a competition — it’s an education and a monthlong proving ground.

Bull Riding: The Most Beautiful Dance on Dirt

Bull riding is often misunderstood. It’s not about overpowering the bull — no one can. It’s about positioning, timing and mental clarity. Bull riding, done correctly, is the most beautiful dance between man and beast.

You can’t ride bulls based on what they’re “supposed” to do. You have to ride them for what they do in that moment. One jump at a time. One move at a time. The moment a rider starts worrying about stats or making it more complicated than it is, he’s already lost.

This sport is 90 percent mental at the top level. Once on the UTB or in the Teams Series, an athlete’s body knows what to do. The question is — can his mind keep up?

Harris put it best: “I don’t care if you think I’m an asshole. I don’t care if you hate me. I’m here to make you the best bull rider you can be.” And I believe he meant every word of that. Frost and Harrison want the same. And so do I.

For the Riders — and the Dreamers

I haven’t been on anything since 2012, and I’ve only been on two bulls in my life. But I’d give anything to do it again — just once. For me, it’s freedom. When you nod your head, it’s just you and Jesus. And that moment is pure.

To the eight riders in this series, and especially those already eliminated: if you love this, don’t stop. Take what you’ve learned from Frost, Harris and Harrison, and pour your heart into it. Every ride matters. Ride like you mean it, because there are guys like me who would trade everything just to be in your boots for eight seconds.

And the feeling you get inside when the latch cracks and you can feel in your wrist when the bull is kicking, and you can feel their power with every jump, every return, every twist — enjoy every one of them, because you can’t do it forever.

How to Watch “Last Cowboy Standing”

If you haven’t seen this series yet, I strongly recommend it — not just as entertainment, but as education. Whether you’re a fan, a rider or someone who just respects what it takes to chase a dream, there’s something to take away from every episode.

You can watch “Last Cowboy Standing,” as well as PBR Friday Night Live team competition starting August 8, on FoxNation.com. Use promo code RODEO for a free trial month, and if you go annual, it’s just $60 a year — less than a cup of coffee each month. Veterans, members of the military and first responders get the first year free.

I’ll be watching the rest of this series closely. I already have a strong guess about who’s going to win based on what I’ve seen.

But no matter who takes the title, I hope they never forget what it means to ride. Every jump counts. Every bull matters. And the greatest reward isn’t the check — it’s the ride itself.

*James Phillips is COO and Co-Founder of the Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing adaptive all-terrain wheelchairs (Action Trackchairs) to civilians with mobility challenges who do not qualify for insurance or military assistance. The foundation’s mission is to ensure every individual, regardless of physical limitation, can enjoy the outdoors and experience true independence. To learn more, visit www.moafoundation.org.

Photos courtesy of Bull Stock Media