A rodeo rip-off is making a local cowboy's quest to be the best even tougher.
Just days before his big competition and his prized riding gear was stolen.
Uhuru Adem needs his spurs, chaps, and saddle in order to compete.
Now his friends are circling the wagons to come to the rescue.
CBS 47’s Lemor Abrams joins us live to show us how the clock is ticking.
He started riding horses young...and now he's living the dream at Fresno State.
Uhuru Adem is ready to take a shot at the college finals...but there's a problem.
Uhuru has been bucked off his horse you might say.
“I left all my gear and stuff in a friend’s truck… his truck was stolen and now all of it's gone,” Adem explained.
The custom gear he's broken in for over three years...a saddle, boots spurs and chaps... stolen.
“I’ve had it for so long and I’ve done so good in it and it kind of just sucks. It’s like a lucky pair of cleats or something,” he said.
His coach says he's dedicated a lot of time and heart into winning big.
“Saddle bronc riding is the classic event in rodeo. It’s totally dependent on timing and balance,” said Fresno State Coach Art Parham.
Now, time is running out.
Uhuru needs to get his hands on new gear before the next rodeo Friday…where he's up against 12 west coast college teams.
"That hurts, to be sitting number 1 and not have any gear or ability to compete and so I just kind of fell for him,” said Kelsey Hayden.
Kelsey Hayden is one of Uhuru's teammates leading a charge to get Uhuru back on his saddle.
She's trying to get the originals back.
“It would be great if whoever did steal the truck would return the saddle-leave it somewhere-tip us off,” she said.
Another option is to raise money for a new set.
Friends are throwing a dance after Friday’s competition...
Line dancing at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds...at $5 a person to get in.
For now .. Uhuru can't wait to get back in the saddle.
“It's a lot of help...I appreciate it,” said Uhuru.
If you have any tips on the whereabouts of the gear, call Crimestoppers at 498-STOP.