PRORODEO Sports News - February 7, 2025

COWBOY GRILLE with Kensie Darst-Todd

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li Troyer, 28, has been making notable strides

How’d you get your start in rodeo? It is kind of a backstory. I didn’t start till I was older. I always wanted to steer wrestle, and I ride broncs too. But I watched some YouTube videos and kind of got to know a couple guys here and there and started entering and just went from there. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? I guess always. I just figured if I work hard enough at it, I could get there. Why did you decide steer wrestling would be your event? I like tackling, getting a hold of some thing and using power to do it. And it’s a lot easier to do that. There’s a lot of great people out there that let me get on their horses and stuff and so it just makes it a lot easier to do that event. Luckily, it’s easier to do that because you can get on other guys’ horses. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this season? I want to go where there’s more money and to be able to earn more money. You’ll only get as good as where you compete at. What do you hope to learn during your Resistol Rookie season? Hopefully I’ll figure out how to get in his PRORODEO career since becoming a PRCA member in 2024. Hailing from Gallatin, Tenn., Troyer competes in both saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling. He currently leads the Resistol Rookie All-Around after notable performances including finishing in the money at the Peace River Pro Rodeo Classic in Wauchula, Fla., with a 4.8-second run.

PRCA Photo by Phillip Kitts

entered where I need to be and be able to make rodeo pay so I can make a living doing it. I’m figuring out the ins and outs of it to just go rodeo. I hope to learn more and just keep learning about rodeo - there’s always something to learn. Who’s someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? Well in the saddle bronc I’m a fan of Zeke Thurston. And then for steer wrestling, obviously, you’ve got Luke Branquinho and Tyler Waguespack. There are a bunch of cool guys. There are so many people to look up to really. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over? Vegas, if that counts. Or maybe Pend leton would be cool. What’s your favorite movie? Oh, probably Eight Seconds. That’s probably the most I’ve ever watched a movie. What’s your go to restaurant before or after a rodeo? It would probably be Mexican food. I can hardly go without that. What’s the first vehicle you drove? I don’t know if it was a car. I was not supposed to be driving it, but the first

vehicle I owned was a ’96 Dodge.

Do you have a favorite candy? I’m going to switch the candy with jerky because that’s my type of candy. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not rodeoing? I like to practice and so that’s kind of rodeo though, but it’s not really rodeo, so I enjoy practicing.

What’s your favorite holiday? Probably Thanksgiving.

What type of music do you like listening to? Country. Specifically, George Strait or Johnny Cash.

ELI TROYER

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