John Beall 12/05/2010

John Beall, a 1986 graduate of Oklahoma State University (OSU) with a degree in agricultural economics and the first Spirit Rider, recalls his early life growing up in Norman, Oklahoma, and his involvement with FFA and the sport of rodeo. He talks about competing in steer wrestling in high school and how that ultimately led him to OSU. Beall discusses his time as an OSU student, revitalizing the rodeo club, and about him and his horse, Della, being the inspiration for the Spirit Rider program. He shares memories of Dr. Eddy Finley, who developed the Spirit Rider program, his first time being the Spirit Rider, and many of experiences surrounding that program. He also explains the Intercollegiate Horse Judging Contest, his work with training horses and competing, and his other involvements as a student at OSU. Beall then tells about his equestrian career as a horse farm manager, and the impact OSU had on his life.