ProRodeo Sports News - April 26, 2024

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Zac: I didn’t come from a rodeo background. I had watched bronc riding a couple of times when I was in high school in New Mexico. It wasn’t until I was living in Jackson Hole, Wyo., that I decided to try it. I reached out to Jason Wheeldon, who picked up at the night rodeo out there and asked him if he would coach me. He said ‘yes’ and from that point on I decided I was going to stick with it until I learned how to do it. I got on 12 horses up there that summer. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? Zac: Once I committed and knew that this was something I was going to do I never thought I wasn’t going to make it. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I had that work ethic to get it done after having success in high school sports. I knew I just needed to trust the process. Why did you decide saddle bronc riding would be your event? Zac: It was a pretty easy decision for me because in my opinion saddle bronc riding is the most cowboy classic event. The classiness of it and the cowboy part of it is what really drew me to it. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Zac: In my immediate family, we were always outdoors hunting and fishing. So, rodeo was never really a part of my life. I had some buddies in high school that their families had ranches, so I’d go help out there every now and then. This is the kind of life I always wanted to live, but I just wasn’t exposed to it until later. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this season? Zac: I bought my permit two years ago. Last year, I bought my permit again and rodeoed the full year on it. I went to 104 rodeos in 2023 on my permit and that allowed me to get into some pretty big rodeos this year. After rodeoing that hard last year, I told myself that there was no way I was going to do that again and not try to make the NFR. So, that’s my reasoning. What have your learned during your Resistol Rookie season? Zac: One thing that I’ve learned is just how patient you have to be in this sport. You have to be patient with your rodeo count and try to stay as consistent as you can out there. Who’s someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? Zac: Jason Wheeldon got things started for me in bronc riding up Zac Dallas, 22, didn’t grow up in the sport of rodeo, but he’s making his presence felt in 2024. The Las Cruces, N.M., saddle bronc rider started off his year with a bang by winning the 152nd Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla. As of April 25, Dallas sits 37th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and currently leads the Resistol Rookie of the Year race with $18,047 earned this season.

ZAC DALLAS

in Wyoming. Taos Muncy has also helped me out quite a bit. I can’t forget about the Dewitts and Robert Carizales as well. There’s a lot of people I look up to and who have helped me. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over? Zac: I’d love to win the Calgary Stampede. The Stampede always has the best bucking horses in my opinion and it’s kind of the epitome of bronc riding up there. What’s your favorite movie? Zac: I’d definitely have to go with Lonesome Dove. What’s your go-to restaurant before or after a rodeo? Zac: I would say a good café or diner that has good breakfast food is usually my go to.

What’s the first vehicle you drove? Zac: It was a 2001 GMC Sierra, I think.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not rodeoing? Zac: I like day working and cowboying when I’m not rodeoing. I really like riding and working with young horses. What’s your favorite holiday? Zac: I like Thanksgiving quite a bit because you get to be around a lot of family and the food is always good too. What type of music do you like listening to? Zac: Country music and Rock ‘n’ Roll are probably my top two. My favorite band is probably the Turnpike Troubadors.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/26/2024

ProRodeo.com

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