Daily Archives: February 13, 2010

*Photo Credit

Trell Etbauer was born into the rodeo lifestyle and grew up around the bucking chute, always eager to lend a hand.

To help saddle a horse or listen to another cowboy story.

His father, Robert, was a two-time world saddle bronc champion. His uncle Dan reached the National Finals Rodeo in bronc riding 10 times before retiring in 2003.

Another uncle, Billy, is still competing and is perhaps the most famous Etbauer of all. He is a five-time world saddle bronc champion and has qualified for a record 21 consecutive NFRs.

So when it came time to choose a career path, Trell Etbauer didn’t have to give it a second thought.

He was already on it.

He even had one of those catchy cowboy names. His father named him Trell after a character in a Louis L’Amour novel.

“All I ever remember is wanting to rodeo,” Etbauer said.

His only problem was choosing an event. In high school and college, he competed in steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and tie-down roping.

He couldn’t make up his mind which one to pick. So he decided to go pro in all three events. (read more)