Billy the Cowboy saves the day: Billy Holland, rodeo pick-up man, steer wrestler, team roper and calf roper, formerly of Cottonwood rides along side bareback rider Cody Higgins of Red Bluff to help him dismount from his bronc safely. Holland is currently in first place in the running for All Around Cowboy going into the state rodeo finals.

Billy Holland, 33, of Montague is chasing every cowboy's dream. The dream of winning the All Around Cowboy title for the State of California. Holland began his rodeo career at six years old, at Brewer's Arena in Los Molinos competing in team roping.

He won his first buckle at age seven. Twenty-six years later, Holland is still on the rodeo trail working to be the best in his sport, training to keep up with some of the younger cowboys and helping them learn new techniques and the keys to success.

Holland trains each night with traveling partner Larry Ferreira and the rest of the Ferreira family. In each training session, the group ropes 130 head of cattle on horseback, then loads and wrestles the same number of steer. Between team roping, wrestling steer, calf roping, loading the cattle up, and getting up and down off of their horses, it makes for a complete workout for all of the muscle groups. So much so that a trip to the gym isn't necessary.

"What makes the younger guys like Larry and Daniel Ferreira so successful is their work ethic. Working with them makes me want to train harder and compete at a higher level," stated Holland. "For the future, and next season, I plan to continue to train hard and compete harder. It is now or never."

When Holland and Ferreira are out on the road, Holland will rides Ferreira's horse in competition, considered one of the best in the area. This has been a great asset to Holland's success. He is currently working on a new horse to ride in competitions next year. Traveling together throughout the season, the two partners often trade places in their steer wrestling rankings. Ferreira is currently ranked second in the state in the event.

"Larry may win at one rodeo, I may win at the next. We both enjoy the camaraderie and are supportive of one another. It doesn't matter who is in first place at a rodeo as long as we are working hard, competing well and having fun," said Holland. "I don't think I have ever laughed as much as I do when I am out on the road."

This year, Holland is currently ranked No. 1 in the All-Around Cowboy division for the fifth time in his career. Besides team-roping, steer-wrestling and calf-roping, Holland works for Four Star Rodeo of Cottonwood as a pick-up man at the company's rodeos. This allows him to compete in his events in slack, then work picking up cowboys during the actual performance. He has worked for the company for seven years. Holland also has his own herd of cattle and cowboys for a living.

"Not many people are able to do what they love everyday. I am fortunate enough to be able to cowboy for a living and still be able to ride some of the best horses around," said Holland.

Holland is looking forward to the finals this year, being able to compete with some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the sport, seeing them ride and rope some of the best stock in Northern California from Four Star Rodeo, Rocking M Rodeo and North Coast Rodeo.

"The more competitors and fans in attendance, the better the competition. The more noise the crowd makes, the more the contestants put into their events. You can't ask for more. It's what every cowboy looks for in his career, to end a season on a positive note," said Holland.

Holland's parents, Bill and Cathy Holland of Oroville, and Sunny, his girlfriend of five years, are his greatest supporters. He also has three children, Hanna, 12, Ketch Kelly, 7, and the late Havey Jo Ann Holland.

Holland is a 1993 graduate of Bakersfield High School.

The California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association State Finals will be held Sept. 19-20 at the Redding Rodeo Grounds. Tickets are $12 pre-sale and $15 at the gate. For more information call 347-9256, or visit the Web site at www.ccpra.com.