An Interview with Orin Larsen
Rodeo Life: What made you choose Bareback Riding over
Saddle Bronc Riding Have you ever tried, or thought about
trying your hand at Saddle Bronc What are some of the key
dierences between the two
Orin Larsen: I actually got on my rst Saddle Bronc horse a year
aer I got on my rst Bareback horse when I was sixteen. I rode
broncs unl my senior year of college. I loved riding broncs but
geng on with a bareback rigging was always my passion. hen
I was helping at the bareback school last May, my older brother,
Tyrel, convinced me to get on a bronc at the bronc match in
oodwell, OK aer the school was over. I ended up placing
second at the match and it had me thinking about entering some
rodeos here and there. I had full intenons on entering a few
Canadian rodeos in August, but due to me being on the bubble
on making the Finals in the Bareback Riding at that me I didn’t
think it would be wise to eopardize my year any more than I
am. Other than the obvious euipment dierences, the biggest
dierence between the two events is in Saddle Bronc Riding,
you’ll get sore every now and then in Bareback Riding, you are
always going to be sore in some degree no maer what kind of
horse you get on.
RL: What is the life of a professional Bareback Rider like
OL: Life as a Bareback Rider I’m sure is similar to other events.
I couldn’t imagine a more incredible lifestyle than one of a
Bareback Rider’s. It comes with a lot of hard work and dedicaon,
and a lot of traveling from one end of the country to the other –
but it’s a lifestyle I wouldn’t trade for anything.
RL: Youve qualied for the Wrangler Naonal Finals
consecuvely for the past four years, what have you learned
from your past performances that will help you qualify again
this season and hopefully secure that World Title
OL: The biggest thing I’ve learned over the past four years of
making the nals is that anything can happen in egas. As far as
myself, I’ve learned to not be so hard on myself. It’s a good thing
to be self-crical or self-disciplined, but there’s a ne line and I
didn’t know where to draw the line. e all strive to break records
n FEAT
PRCA ProRodeo photo by Phil Doyle
Rodeo LIFE 23