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INUVIK
After two appearances at the Calgary Stampede in 2003 and 2004 and no finishes on the podium, Billy Turner's ambition to make it has turned that monkey on his back into a 500-pound gorilla.

The Alberta-born, and Northern-raised, bareback rider is gearing up for the Canadian Pro Rodeo and Indian Rodeo Cowboy Association's 2012 season and looking forward to life on the road again.

By day, Turner is the health policy co-ordinator for the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in Inuvik. He said he enjoys his time down south, but the schedule leaves little time to be homesick.

"You do a show, then pack it all up and get on the bus and drive to the next one. It's pretty busy," Turner said

After being introduced to the life as a cowboy by his father and grandfather, Turner decided to jump in the saddle - literally - and made his debut as a novice bareback rider at age 19.

"My father and grandfather were both involved in rodeo," Turner said. "I got involved through them, and figured I would give it a try."

Turner focused his efforts on bareback rather than the infamous bull-riding categories.

"It's more challenging than riding bulls," Turner said. "There's no saddle or anything so you have to jump and hold on."

Mainly travelling through Saskatchewan and Alberta, Turner, 28, has competed with the best, and earned the honour of riding the infamous Grated Coconut, a four-time Canadian and four-time world bareback champion bucking stallion.

Turner earned the coveted Rookie of the Year title at the Foothills Cowboy Association in 2006, a recognition that earned him bragging rights in the rodeo circuit.

The 2008 season proved to be a successful one as well for Turner as he earned his full professional card - catapulting him out of the world of amateur rodeo.

Despite a successful and budding rodeo career, Turner also found time to complete his political science degree at the University of Calgary, and has been accepted into law school at the University of Alberta.

The next step for Turner is securing a major sponsor for the upcoming season to help cover the $25,000 price tag for the season.

"I'm looking to secure a sponsor for the 2012 season," Turner said. "All the information is on my website. I'm also looking to get back to the Stampede."

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