Bruce Laird, a Wyoming native, has always had a deep interest in horses and how they think.  From 1960 when he was eight years old and started his first horse, to 1964 when he began riding for the public and through today Bruce has always ridden in a thinking way.

When he met Ray in 1980, Bruce knew that Ray knew what Bruce wanted to learn.  During the first three years of their relationship, Ray was Bruce’s somewhat unwilling mentor.  After that, Ray not only became a willing mentor but a true friend.  Ray’s readiness to share his wisdom has allowed the horses Bruce has started and ridden to have success in cutting, reined cowhorse and roping venues.

Bruce feels very privileged to have been able to ride many of Ray’s horses.  Not many people were fortunate enough to feel of Ray’s horses, but Bruce was.

His feelings toward Ray are pure and unadulterated.  “Ray was my mentor, friend, hero, and the best cowboy I ever saw.”