What It Takes To Ride a Bronco Bareback

I grew up on a ranch in central Nebraska. Certain times, like in the spring and fall, youre never done working. You might get one hour of sleep. You get up early, get your day started, and you go to work. Moving big feed bags, fencing, all that. Like digging post holes-thats all core and shoulders all day. Its physical labor and actually pretty good training for riding bareback.

I got into rodeo early. I started out riding sheep, calves, and steers and eventually bulls. Then I started getting on bucking horses. Bareback riding just felt the most natural to me. Well, about as natural as riding a bucking 1,200- to 1,500-pound horse for eight seconds can feel.

I got into rodeo early. I started out riding sheep, calves, and steers and eventually bulls.

You gotta squeeze the riggings to keep your hand in so you stay on. Its all grip, shoulders, back, and core. And with your legs youre squeezing but trying to feel for the horses timing so you can move with him. Youre never going to outmuscle the horse. Every jump, those horses are trying to snap you off, and your head, shoulders, and neck feel like theyre the popper at the end of a whip.

I made my first national finals at 21 and had my first real chance at a title at 22. I blew it. But last year I tied for first. Im 33 now, and the older I get, the more time I have to put in the gym. I dang sure get some core work in every day. I torture that muscle group-not many situps, but a lot of bicycles, scissors, leg drops, and 12 or 15 minutes of planks every day.

I made my first national finals at 21 and had my first real chance at a title at 22.

Ive spent so much of my life on horseback, at the ranch and in rodeo, that I know how the horse is going to move in any situation, and Ive built the strength I need to react. Now I use that strength, experience, and confidence to my advantage.