CHICKASHA – Garrett Tucker was “goofing off” when he tried his hand at bronc riding 10 years ago, but now he’s riding those wild horses almost every weekend.
That was the case June 24-25 as Tucker competed in the 83rd Chickasha Open Rodeo where he finished third in the bronc riding and earned $260.
The money, Tucker said, paid for his gas to and from his hometown of Elgin. But for him, the rodeos and his daily life as a cowboy is about pursuing his passion. His best year financially earned him slightly less than $8,000, so he’s not getting rich, but Tucker is fulfilling a dream.
Tucker is willing to enter any rodeo as long as it’s within a three-hour drive from Elgin.
“Sometimes I might enter two or three on a weekend if they’re close enough (together),” he said, “and if there’s enough money. I just like bucking horses and making money. It’s fun to make money for an eight second ride.”
But the bronc riding event is dangerous as high-bucking horses throw the most experienced cowboy off its back before he hits that elusive eight-second mark, which is the length of a qualified ride.
“I have fear all the time,” Tucker said. “If you’re not scared, your heart isn’t beating anymore.”
Tucker has been competing on the Oklahoma and Texas rodeo circuits for the last decade and has plans to compete in the Elgin rodeo in August. His bigger and long-term goal is obtain his pro card and start riding the broncs at rodeos around the U.S. and into Canada.
“I’m going to need a new and different saddle for that and that’ll take about $2,500 and I’m pretty close,” Tucker said. “I’m hoping to have my pro card by the end of the year.”
The pro circuit is certainly more lucrative as cowboys travel extensively, but also have the capability to earn more than $300,000, which is what Stetson Wright of Milford, Utah, did in 2021 on the world saddle bronc tour.
When he’s not competing in weekend rodeos, Tucker performs “cowboy stuff” working horses and cattle during the week.
“You can contract yourself out for a day and make money. I also buy and sell horses,” he said.
Tucker has 60 acres of “good land” west of Elgin where he works and raises horses.
“It’s just something I like to do working with those dirty, hot animals,” he said.
At times, he’s forced to ride his horse into an area near Elgin known as the Slick Hills since fences on many occasions fail to hold the cattle.
“You can’t get a four-wheeler into that area, so you ride your horse to go get the animals,” Tucker said.