As the rodeo world readies for the National Finals Rodeo, we’re revisiting some of our favorite quotes from about rodeo, cowboy culture, and the Western way of life.
Soft spoken, hard workin’ — that tends to be the cowboy way. But, even the quietest cowboy or cowgirl has a little bit of wisdom up their sleeve. As the 2024 Wrangler NFR draws near, we’re looking at some of our favorite quotes from Western industry leaders that teach us about the art, courage, and perseverance of rodeo.
Words On Courage
Rodeo athletes are many things, but the one thing they are NOT is cowardly. Here’s what these Western lifestyle leaders have to say about courage.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of NFR.com
- “Cowgirl is an attitude, really; a pioneer spirit, a special American brand of courage.” — Dale Evans
- “Rodeo ain’t no ordinary life but a cowboy ain’t no ordinary man.” — Tracy Byrd
- “A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse.” — William James
- “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” — John Wayne
- “A man isn’t born a cowboy, he becomes ones.” — Unknown
Words On Perseverance
You get bucked off more often than you don’t, so you’ve got to have a great deal of perseverance to make it in the rodeo world. Here’s how a few Western legends push through the hard times.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Mount Isa Rodeo
- “Sometimes I think life is just a rodeo, the trick is to ride and make it to the bell.” — John Fogerty
- “I think that no matter what you do, whether you rodeo, whether you work in an office, you work in the oilfield or you play music for a living, eventually if you do enough of it, the devil in the back of your head tries to turn it into work. You have to find new ways to make it new and make it exciting to keep that drive there.” — Cody Johnson
- “Makin’ it in life is kinda like bustin’ broncs: you’re gonna get thrown a lot. The simple secret is to keep getting’ back on.” — Unknown
- “You have to be ready … both mentally and physically ready. You can never stop learning. When you think you’re at the top, you are in trouble.” — Tim O’Connell
- “You lose more than you win, I promise you. I’m not saying when you go out there and miss you need to smile. It needs to bother you. But you need to learn from it, get over it and go on, because it’s over and you can’t get it back.” — Travis Graves
Words On Cowboy Culture
The rodeo is an extension of the cowboy spirit. Here are some of our favorite quotes about the cowboy culture and the Western lifestyle.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of NFR.com
- “The true meaning of America, you ask? It’s in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman’s badge in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper … In all these things, and many more, you’ll find America. In all these things, you’ll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me.” — Audie Murphy
- “Rodeo, like poetry, can get into your hemoglobin, into the deep helices of DNA, and once there it becomes your metaphorical makeup for life.” — Paul Zarzyski
- “There’s nothin’ in life that’s worth doin’, if it cain’t be done from a horse.” — Red Steagall
- “We love the people that make up our industry. It’s easy to say it’s because we have similar beliefs, but it’s incredible to see the individuals from all walks of life that we come in contact with daily. This industry really unites us with a bond that is hard to explain — it’s a universal understanding when you see a cowboy hat that you’re a part of our family.” — Alexis Kimzey
- “There ain’t no family like a rodeo family. Every time I’m behind the bucking chutes, I feel like I’m at home. Everybody is so nice and generous. And you meet new people every day, so you’re constantly adding new people to the family.” — Tristin Parker
Words From The Greats
Never pass up on a little word of wisdom (or even a little mindless musing) from some of the world’s top rodeo stars.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of NFR.com
- “I think my folks bought me my first horse for about $125 when I was probably 7 years old. She was half Arab, half quarter horse, no paper, and we had her around three or four months, five months, and she had a colt — we didn’t even know she was bred — and I was just so in love with horses and riding. So, thank you, ponies, and thank you God, for creating them.” — Larry Mahan
- “I don’t care about going down in history as a great bull rider or bronc rider. I hope people will remember me as a great cowboy.” — Ty Murray
- “I have faith in God and he never lets anyone down who puts their faith in him.” — Hailey Kinsel
- “I always just say that life is a roller coaster, and you better be along for the whole ride. It’s hard not to let the lows define you, but I think that’s where the tough get tougher. It is a mindset to fight your way back to the top. Determination is a huge factor in the outcome.” — Lisa Lockhart
- “True cowboys are the ones who aren’t afraid to get dirty.” — Lane Frost
HEADER IMAGE: Courtesy of Cheyenne Frontier Days
