Filling the boots that his father and grandfather once filled, Steve Whaley is honored to be the recently appointed Big Boss of the Silver Spurs Riding Club, Inc.
 
The recently chosen 2009-10 “Big Boss” for the Silver Spurs Riding Club, Whaley, 40, will spend the next year at the helm of the 64-year-old organization, whose mission is to promote agriculture and the sport of rodeo throughout the Southeast.
 
A native Floridian born in St. Cloud, Steve is the son to Larry Whaley, Big Boss in 1977, and the grandson of Dr. A.E. Whaley, who held the reins in 1950. Steve makes his living today on the Crescent O Ranch; the ranch where he grew up.
 
Steve and his wife, Kaye, have two children Marlo and Derrick.  Kaye, a lifelong supporter and member of the Silver Spurs is the daughter of Doug Partin.  Doug is one of Spurs’ most knowledgeable and highly respected members, whom oversaw the Bucking Stock for the Silver Spurs.
 
In 1992 Steve began helping Doug with the Silver Spurs Bucking Stock. “He is more than just a father-in-law to me, he has been a great mentor”, says Whaley.  Partin became very ill in 2008, unable to continue his passion for ranching and livestock, Whaley stepped in to continue the family’s heritage as the Chairman of the Bucking Stock.

The Silver Spurs Riding Club is the only non-profit organization to be sanction by the PRCA that owns and works its own bucking stock.  The stock must meet heavy criteria set by the PRCA, not only will the livestock buck at the Bi-Annual Silver Spurs Rodeo, the stock travels to other rodeos in Okeechobee, Perry, Brighton and even the National Finals Rodeo held in Las Vegas.