ProRodeo Sports News - February 3, 2023

and go serve.”

his life.

In 2017, at the age of 28 he made the sacrifice of a lifetime by enlisting into the United States Army. Angus’ eight-year contract required him to serve six years active duty and two years inactive in the reserves. Early on during his time in the military he found the perfect recipe to balance competing in the sport he loved and serving his country. He won the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo AssociationWorld Championship in saddle bronc riding in 2018-2019, and 2022. “Once I got to my first duty station in Colorado, I was able to rodeo a little bit,” Angus said. “I rodeoed in the Armed Forces Rodeo Association; I ended up winning my first world title doing that in my first year in the military. “It was really cool to rodeo with a group of guys that were elite in other parts of society. They are all warriors and war fighters and soldiers. Then we get to go rodeo together and it kind of brings both worlds together. Most people probably wouldn’t truly get it until you’ve been there and done that.”

“It was like OK; I’ve knocked off all these goals. Now, it’s time to finish that last childhood dream of mine and make that come true,” he said. “Making the NFR and being a dad are my two goals now. I kind of took rodeo for granted for a while. “I never thought I didn’t appreciate it or appreciate it enough but when I went overseas there was that chance that you might not ever get to rodeo again. That gets in your mind as much as you don’t want to think about that stuff it just kind of happens. When we got back home it was like wow, I took this sport for granted. This is who I truly am.” Angus returned from deployment last November and now calls Kiowa, Colo., home, for the time being. He is still serving out his contract, working with the Colorado Army National Guard. On top of that, his return to the arena in 2023 couldn’t have gone much better. Competing at the National Western Stock Show and

“I’ve knocked off all these goals. Now, it’s time to finish that last childhood dream of mine and make that come true. Making the NFR and being a dad are my two goals now.” – JACE ANGUS

Rodeo in Denver for the first time since 2014, he placed second in the first round and pocketed $3,198. He knows where he wants to be when December comes around and doesn’t plan on letting anything get in the way. “I’m not going to let myself being 35 years old change what my goals are and that’s making the Finals. I feel more ready now than I’ve ever been,” Angus said. “It seems like everything is coming together to where now it’s my time. “It’s almost like I had to endure some of those challenges that life throws at you, whether it’s good or extremely bad ones. Now you’re ready for it mentally. I have that support from family and friends that really helps. I have a team standing behind me and I’m ready to chase that dream. It’s time.”

In March 2021, the 11 Bravo Infantryman was forced into action. Angus was deployed to the Horn of Africa, widely considered as one of the most violent and conflict-ridden regions in the world. “I was overseas for nine months on the Horn of Africa,” Angus said. “It was a third world country and I’m still shocked at how people live over there in those areas. It was a pretty nasty place. But being in the military created a whole new discipline for me. There’s a new way to look at things. It’s almost like I came back stronger than I left.” And it brought about a realization on what’s truly important to him in

Casey Martin photo

Angus has qualified for the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo twice in his ProRodeo career.

ProRodeo Sports News 2/3/2023

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