ProRodeo Sports News - Feb. 17, 2023

PRORODEO COWBOYS

New Journey James Phifer photo Bullfighter Evan Allard, striped shirt, jumps in the middle of the action at the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo in February. Allard will conclude his career as a bullfighter at Rodeo Austin (Texas) on March 25.

remembers meeting Allard early during his career. Tuckness first connected with the Vinita, Okla., native at a school he was running to teach bullfighting skills. They crossed paths again a few months later as Allard struggled fighting a bull at an event Hall of Fame bullfighter Rex Dunn was hosting. The next time they ran into each other, things were vastly different. “It was like a whole different bullfighter. He fell into his groove and found his niche. From that point on, he just went on to be one of the most dominant freestyle bullfighters for several years,” Tuckness said. “He’s one of the toughest guys to put on a pair of cleats. You always knew if there was a wreck, he would dang sure be in the middle of it trying to get you out of it.” The duo went on to work together at rodeos throughout the country for more than a decade, including a seven-year run together at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. In fact, it was Tuckness who helped convince Allard to apply for his PRCA card and served as one of the supporters who signed for his card. Without that nudge, Allard might have missed out on one of the biggest honors in his career. In 2019, he was selected to be one of the bullfighters working the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. “I’ve said it a lot – anybody that’s ever-played rodeo in the living room

or roped dummy in the backyard, that was their dreams and goals – they were rodeoing at the NFR, not some little rodeo in Kansas,” Allard said. “Fortunately, I was talented enough to get to go. It’s something I’ll never forget.” After years of dodging bulls and saving cowboys from potential harm, it’s time for something different. Allard trained and received his pilot’s license years ago. His plan was to fly from one rodeo to the next rather than drive up and down the road all the time. That new passion helped foster the idea for a business, as Allard now owns an agriculture aviation company that works with farmers to provide crop dusting services in parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas. He jokes that the little venture has turned into a whole lot more than a little business, which means he needs to pay more attention to it going forward. While he’s excited for the next phase of his life, Allard will miss being in the arena and working alongside the amazing friends he’s made in the industry. It never mattered the rodeo location or size, every day next to the chutes was a chance to chase a lifelong dream. “I got to live that for almost 20 years, with eight or nine years in the PRCA. I never had to get up and go to work – I got to go rodeo and do what I loved to do for a living,” Allard said.

What started as a dreammore than two decades ago eventually became reality as the three-time freestyle world bullfighting champion is regarded as one of the best to step into the ring. And, after a lot of miles, bulls and memories, his time fighting is set to come to an end. Rodeo Austin, which runs fromMarch 11-25, will be Allard’s final go-round in the arena as he steps aside to focus his attention on another business venture. Dusty Tuckness, the 10-time PRCA Bullfighter of the Year, Veteran bullfighter Evan Allard looking forward to next chapter

BY ALEX RILEY Special to ProRodeo Sports News T he moment Evan Allard saw his first rodeo, he was hooked. As a young boy, the spectacle of it all drew him in and made him want to take part. Most kids have dreams of climbing on a horse or bull to compete in the competition that appeals to them. Allard had a different perspective. “From the time I was little bitty, I wanted to be a rodeo clown or bullfighter,” Allard said. “It worked out good for me because of my skill set – I could have never been a bull rider anyway, I’m way too big.”

ProRodeo Sports News 2/17/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 2/17/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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