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and make the NFR and to win a World Title. I had to step back RL: You have already won two major rodeos this season
and realize the real reason I do this sport, and that is because I winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and The
love the rodeo atmosphere and I love getting on bucking horses. American, how are you planning on keeping this streak going?
That’s why we do it in the first place. It’s easy to get caught up OL: Nothing is really going to change as far as the rest of the year.
in the hustle and bustle of Vegas, but I learned to trust God and I’m still going to rodeo and compete the same as before. I still have
stay strong to my faith. He already has our lives, careers and to keep myself active and in shape so I can perform at my best.
challenges mapped out for us and it will happen the way it’s
supposed to happen. RL: What is the toughest horse you’ve faced in your rodeo career?
Who won? Do you foresee a rematch at all in the future?
RL: You’re on the edge of breaking that million-dollar OL: There’s still a lot of good strong horses out there that I would
barrier in your PRCA Career Earnings, how is it going love to get on. But the toughest horse I’ve been on is Spilled Perfume
to feel to be a million-dollar cowboy? of Macza’s. I think I’ve been on that horse six times and only rode Where do you
OL: Breaking the million-dollar barrier is a great accomplishment her once. I always love getting on that horse because she bucks
and a goal we hope to achieve in our careers. However, because really strong so there is always a really good chance to win first
we made that much money over the course our careers doesn’t every time. I am looking forward to get on that horse again. want to be?
mean we all have a million dollars sitting in our bank accounts.
Rodeo is not a get rich quick sport. I have had times when rodeo RL: What does being a cowboy mean to you? What
has treated me very well and been able to make a comfortable attributes does a cowboy have to have to be successful
living at it, then other times where I have been very broke and in the rodeo industry?
that’s simply the nature of the beasts. I am extremely fortunate OL: Being a cowboy to me is when times or a task becomes more
and blessed to have the kind of career and life I have been given. than challenging to make sure you put a hundred and twenty
To cross the million-dollar mark would be a great accomplishment percent into it, and to be tough about it when the going gets
to my career. tough. There are times during the year when you haven’t been Don’t take the same old journey.
home in a few months, your driving all night going to five to six
RL: Are rides different when you are riding for big payouts? rodeos a week, getting on hurt or sore and you just want to go Be somewhere genuine.
How do you stay mentally focused when a big check is on the line? home for a week to spend time with your wife and heal up. That’s
OL: I would be lying if I said riding at higher stakes is the same when being a cowboy and being both mentally and physically
feeling as riding somewhere a little lower-keyed. When you show strong comes into play in the biggest way. Be somewhere amazing.
up at some of the biggest rodeos in our sport, you get a little more
butterflies in your stomach and your heart is a little closer to your RL: What are some of the hardships of rodeo that you Be changed.
throat. But when you climb down in the chute, everything is the have faced and how did you get through them?
same as far as your routine. Nothing should change. You’re not OL: I have had quite a few injuries in my career and it seems to
thinking of the possibility of a big win. You are focused on the task always happen at the worst time of the year. Whether it’s during
at hand and trust in your abilities to get the job done. the Fourth of July, right before the NFR or even during the NFR.
Justin Sports Medicine has spent countless hours on me with every playanydaygetawaycation
injury I had and I’m forever grateful for them. My wife, Alexa, is
always there for me to keep me physically sound, keep my mind
on the right track, help me realize that everything happens for a
reason and to stay strong to my faith and pray a lot.

RL: In your opinion, what has been the greatest win so far
in your career and why? What is the ultimate goal?
OL: The good Lord dealt me an extremely good hand throughout my
career. The American would be my biggest win not only because a
of a great payday, but there is no other rodeo like it. Ever since The
American took shape, I think it’s safe to say that it is everyone’s
goal, including mine, to come out on top.

RL: What advice would you give someone who wants to
pursue a professional career in Bareback Riding?
OL: The advice I would give to become a Bareback Rider is to go
to as make clinics and get on as many horses as you can. Bareback
Riding is a dangerous sport and not one to be taken half-heartedly.
If you’re going to take it seriously, make sure you go to the right
people to point you in the right direction. Don’t bypass any
opportunity that comes your way because it may become a
career-changing moment for the better. Call for your ee Visitor Guide

38 Rodeo LIFE
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PRCA ProRodeo photo by James Phifer