WEST VALLEY CITY — Rodeo can be a harsh profession, but those who do it well wouldn't trade it for the world.
It's a dangerous sport that is more a lifestyle than a hobby or skill. Participants pay to play, and many risk their lives every time they saddle up, wrestle a steer or straddle a bull. The travel required in order to earn a living keeps competitors on the road about 230 days out of the year, and often any prize money they win is spent on getting to (and entering) the next rodeo down the highway.
But cowboys who have managed to make it their life's work say the benefits can't be beat.
"Freedom," said Steve Woolsey, a Spanish Fork High graduate who rides bulls and broncs for a living and was one of 12 bull riders to compete in the opening night of the Days of '47 Rodeo at the Maverick Center. "Freedom to do whatever I want. I have been very fortunate."
Bareback riders Heath Ford and his cousin Royce Ford echo Woolsey's sentiments after earning impressive scores that put them first and second in the event.
"I wouldn't trade it for anything," said Heath, who scored a 78 to take second behind his cousin and Brian Bain, who both scored 81 points. "We've both had surgery on stuff, but (Royce's) dad told us, when you think about (quitting), you've already done it. So I try not to think about it."
In fact, both men said that sitting around their homes, recovering from injuries, only reinforces their desire to hit the rodeo circuit again.
"All you want to do is get back out there and ride," said Royce.
Woolsey is a five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in bull riding and he took second in 2005. But the Payson man's experience Monday night illustrates how the sport is no respecter or persons or past accomplishments.
Woolsey didn't make the eight-second whistle, but he wasn't alone. Only one bull rider out of 12 in Monday's competition managed to earn a score. Spud Jones, a New Mexico cowboy, earned 74 points in the rodeo's marquee event.
It reiterated what every cowboy knows when they start out in the sport — this is not an activity for the faint of heart. Those who are easily discouraged need not apply.
"It's definitely not a sport that you can do halfway," said Woolsey. "You have to give it your all and be dedicated. To be at the top is difficult. There's a lot of guys who get on bulls. There's not a lot that is good consistently."
Woolsey said he sees his sport growing in popularity as he travels the country competing.
"I think our sport is a little more real," said Woolsey, who is ranked No. 4 in the world in bull riding despite having surgery this spring to repair an injured knee. "People can kind of relate to us a little more."
The sports superstars spend as much time with fans as they do competing. Woolsey said he often gets advice from fans, and that's not something he brushes aside lightly.
"I don't think there is bad advice," he said with a slight smile.
One of the unique aspects of the sport is that its champions often give younger competitors their secrets — and they do so willingly.
"You're back behind the bucking chutes with guys that are your heroes," said Royce Ford.
To which his cousin, Heath, quickly adds, "If I see Marvin Garrett I still get nervous. He's my idol and one of my bet friends. In rodeo, the guys you look up to become your friends… It's a special deal. There ain't nothing like it."
When asked if there is a downside to the sport, Heath Ford doesn't hesitate.
"The downside is that you can't do it forever," he said with a grin.
The cousins said that both of their fathers feel the physical toll that riding bucking horses can take on a body.
"They're both crippled up and sore from (bronc riding), but if you said, 'I bet if you had it to do over again, you wouldn't' They'd both say, 'Yeah, I'd go harder."
And then he adds, "Every day is a good day if you can rodeo."
Results from Monday's competition:
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cody Angland, New South Wales, Australia, 83 points; 2. Ty Atchison, Jackson, Missouri, 82 points; 3. Waytt Smith, Rexburg, Idaho, 78 points.
Steer wrestling: 1. Jake Rinehart, Highmore, South Dakota, 3.7 seconds; 2. Dru Melvin, Ponca City, Oklahoma, 4.1 seconds; 3. Cooper Shofner, Huntsville, Texas, 4.2 seconds.
Tie Down Roping: 1. Cody James, Monticello, Arkansas, 8.7 seconds.
Barrel Racing: 1. Benette Barrington, Lubbock, Texas, 14.27 seconds; 2. Amy Hunter, Neola, Utah, 14.96 seconds; 3. Raylyn Blair Robinson, Eagle Mountain, Utah, 15.41 seconds.
Bareback riding: 1. (Tie) Royce Ford, Briggsdale, Colorado, 81, and Brian Bain, Culver, Oregon, 81; 2. Heath Ford, Slocum, Texas, 79.
Team roping: 1. Clay Tryan and Travis Graves, 5.6 seconds; 2. Waylon McCurley and Travis Woodard, 6.8 seconds; Jake Barnes and Walt Woodard, 10 seconds.
Bull Riding: 1. Spud Jones, Tohatchi, New Mexico, 74 points.
The rodeo continues through Monday, July 25, at 7 p.m. at the Maverick Center. There is no rodeo on Sunday.
email: adonaldson@desnews.com
Twitter: adonsports