and make the NFR and to win a orld Title. I had to step back
and realize the real reason I do this sport, and that is because I
love the rodeo atmosphere and I love geng on bucking horses.
That’s why we do it in the rst place. It’s easy to get caught up
in the hustle and bustle of egas, but I learned to trust od and
stay strong to my faith. He already has our lives, careers and
challenges mapped out for us and it will happen the way it’s
supposed to happen.
RL: You’re on the edge of breaking that million-dollar
barrier in your PRCA Career Earnings, how is it going
to feel to be a million-dollar cowboy
OL: Breaking the million-dollar barrier is a great accomplishment
and a goal we hope to achieve in our careers. However, because
we made that much money over the course our careers doesn’t
mean we all have a million dollars sing in our bank accounts.
Rodeo is not a get rich uick sport. I have had mes when rodeo
has treated me very well and been able to make a comfortable
living at it, then other mes where I have been very broke and
that’s simply the nature of the beasts. I am extremely fortunate
and blessed to have the kind of career and life I have been given.
To cross the million-dollar mark would be a great accomplishment
to my career.
RL: Are rides dierent when you are riding for big payouts
How do you stay mentally focused when a big check is on the line
OL: I would be lying if I said riding at higher stakes is the same
feeling as riding somewhere a lile lower-keyed. hen you show
up at some of the biggest rodeos in our sport, you get a lile more
bueries in your stomach and your heart is a lile closer to your
throat. But when you climb down in the chute, everything is the
same as far as your roune. Nothing should change. You’re not
thinking of the possibility of a big win. You are focused on the task
at hand and trust in your abilies to get the ob done.
RL: You have already won two major rodeos this season
winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and The
American, how are you planning on keeping this streak going
OL: Nothing is really going to change as far as the rest of the year.
I’m sll going to rodeo and compete the same as before. I sll have
to keep myself acve and in shape so I can perform at my best.
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
OL: There’s sll a lot of good strong horses out there that I would
love to get on. But the toughest horse I’ve been on is Spilled Perfume
of Macza’s. I think I’ve been on that horse six mes and only rode
her once. I always love geng on that horse because she bucks
really strong so there is always a really good chance to win rst
every me. I am looking forward to get on that horse again.
RL: What does being a cowboy mean to you What
aributes does a cowboy have to have to be successful
in the rodeo industry
OL: Being a cowboy to me is when mes or a task becomes more
than challenging to make sure you put a hundred and twenty
percent into it, and to be tough about it when the going gets
tough. There are mes during the year when you haven’t been
home in a few months, your driving all night going to ve to six
rodeos a week, geng on hurt or sore and you ust want to go
home for a week to spend me with your wife and heal up. That’s
when being a cowboy and being both mentally and physically
strong comes into play in the biggest way.
RL: What are some of the hardships of rodeo that you
have faced and how did you get through them
OL: I have had uite a few inuries in my career and it seems to
always happen at the worst me of the year. hether it’s during
the Fourth of July, right before the NFR or even during the NFR.
Jusn Sports Medicine has spent countless hours on me with every
inury 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 ulmate 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 direcon. Don’t bypass any
opportunity that comes your way because it may become a
career-changing moment for the beer.
24 Rodeo LIFE
PRCA ProRodeo photo by James Phifer