Becoming Rodeo Ready: My Journey to Bull Riding
By Deon
There’s a moment in every cowboy’s life when the dust settles just right, the arena lights hit the dirt in that familiar glow, and something inside you says, this is where you’re meant to be. For me, that moment came all at once as I set foot behind the chutes watching the Bronc Riders, Bull Riders and all the teams as they position themselves on their respective horses and bulls to buck at the Gipsy Horses Ranch - Spring Rodeo. The atmosphere alone as the rain began to fall, I was immediately engulfed in the feeling of “let me get involved”.
My first Rodeo
In this moment, one of the female bronc riders “Ilona Bercx” (Reserve World Champion 2023 CFD Ambassador WRBC Europe) who was the next one to exit the chutes, grabbed me and told me to get a bit of kit from her kit bag. This is it! A small gesture, the instruction to get involved, within seconds I knew I was meant for more than watching the rodeo from the stands.
Bull riding wasn’t the obvious choice. It wasn’t the easy one either. But it was the one that made my heart beat the loudest.
Why I Chose the Bull Riding Life?
People ask me all the time why I chose bull riding. Why this sport? The one that demands everything from you and gives nothing for free.
The truth is simple: I chose the sport because it's doesn't come with handouts nor will it give you a free ride, even when you train your hardest there is still a big chance it could all go wrong, but when it goes right everything you worked hard for pays off.
I wouldn’t call myself an adrenaline junky by any means, but the thought of feeling at peace in the arena doing my best to control the controllables in an uncontrollable moment “8 seconds”, The bareback, Bronc and especially bull riding will be the purest test of grit I’ve ever known.
There’s no hiding out there. No excuses. No shortcuts. When that chute gate cracks open, it’s just you, your rope, and a thousand pounds of muscle and attitude trying to send you sky-high. And in those eight seconds or the two seconds you manage before you’re airborne, you learn exactly who you are, what went right, what went wrong and how to stay positive in all situations.
I want that honesty. I want that challenge. And that challenge starts here... training like a rodeo athlete.
The Start of My Training Journey
When I first committed to becoming rodeo‑fit, my initial thought, it would be all about strength. It's natural to believe if I could deadlift enough weight or run enough miles, I’d be ready, right?
Wrong...
Bull riding demands a different kind of fitness, a blend of balance, reaction speed, core strength, and mental sharpness that no regular gym routine can give you. So, I had to rebuild myself from the ground up.
Balance Before Brute Strength
It has been six weeks since I have spent hours on balance trainers, learning how to keep my center steady even when everything underneath me wanted to move. It felt ridiculous at first wobbling around like a newborn calf, but that work became the foundation for everything else.
Core of Steel, Mind of Stone
Bull riding is a sport where your core does more talking than your arms ever will. I trained it relentlessly: planks, rotational work, stability drills. But the mental training was just as important. Visualization, breath control, and learning to stay calm in chaos became part of my daily routine.
Cardio for the Comeback
People don’t realize how much conditioning bull riders need. The ride is short, but the adrenaline spike is massive. I trained to recover fast, stay sharp, and keep my legs under me even after a rough dismount.
Facing Fear and Riding Through It
I won’t pretend I'm not scared. Anyone who says they aren’t, is lying or hasn’t climbed enough bulls yet. Even for me currently not leaving the chutes on a bull yet, I have however got to up to the point of nodding to the gate man. I know this will be a rocky journey full of concussion and broken bones and willingness to get back up. But fear isn’t the enemy. Fear is the reminder that what you’re doing matters.
That’s where confidence is built, not in the absence of fear, but in the decision to move forward despite it.
What Rodeo Fitness Means to Me Now
Being rodeo‑fit isn’t just about being strong. It’s about being ready physically, mentally, and spiritually for whatever the arena throws at you.
It means:
Showing up even when you’re sore
Training when no one’s watching
Learning from every fall
Respecting the animals
Honoring the sport
And believing in yourself enough to climb back on
I do believe that Bull riding will shape me into someone I’m proud to be. Someone who doesn’t quit. Someone who knows the value of hard work. Someone who understands that the journey is just as important as the ride. Ultimately being the father who leaves a legacy with a mantra that lasts a generation.
The Road Ahead
I’m still on this journey still training, still learning, still chasing. But every day I get a little stronger, a little steadier, a little more ready for the real deal.
And that’s the beauty of this life. You never really “arrive.” You just keep riding.
If my story inspires even one person to chase their own version of eight seconds whether it’s in the arena or somewhere far from it, then every bruise, every early morning, and every tough ride has been worth it. And from now on every day, I leave the front door I ride the day like I have just left that chute.
See you behind the chutes. — Deon
follow my journey @Mountain_Wrangler