ProRodeo Sports News - July 27, 2018

GRILLE COWBOY

Bareback rider ZACH HIBLER’s journey of success has continued from high school to college and now to professional rodeo. The Wheeler, Texas, cowboy earned full-ride rodeo scholarships to Western (Snyder) Texas College and Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas. As of July 25, he was No. 1 in the PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings with $30,130. After competing in more than 30 rodeos this season, the 21-year-old has no plans of slowing down, aiming to remain in the lead and hit the 100-rodeo mark.

WITH AMBE BAILLIE PSN

What made you pick bareback riding? Zach: I’ve always enjoyed football and physical activities, and I’ve had even more fun on bucking horses. I team roped for a year-and-a-half before even thinking about getting on one (bronc). I was 14 when I first tried it (bareback riding). How do you keep up with the sport? Zach: I make goals at the beginning of the year and then really focus on them. I want to stay as high as I can in the standings and win Rookie of the Year. What’s been your best rodeo? Zach: Probably Casper (Central Wyoming Fair & PRCA Rodeo). I ended up third in the average and placed in the short and long rounds. Of your rodeo accomplishments, what are you most proud of? Zach: Making the short go at Fort Worth (Texas) and Reno (Nev.). It was my first time at those rodeos, and it was awesome to ride with the Top 15 guys … guys who’ve made the NFR. What made you continue your education? Zach: My grandparents played a big role in me going to school. They started a college fund for me when I was young, and it made them proud for me to go to college. I can’t ride bucking horses forever, so my degree is something I can fall back on. How did you earn a rodeo scholarship? Zach: I was recruited and required to maintain good grades and compete on the college rodeo team. Our team (Western Texas College) won in the region and placed sixth at the college finals. What else do you do besides rodeo? Zach: I run a landscaping business, my degree is in landscape management. I’ve done it since I was a little kid, my grandpa kept the family business going. I take care of about 30 yards; it’s something that I can keep going even when I’m on the road. What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned competing in ProRodeo? Zach: The mindset: no matter what you did at the last rodeo, today is a new day and rodeo, and you’ve got to do whatever it takes to do your best. I travel with (bareback rider) Jake Brown, and he keeps a great attitude. I feed off his positivity and try to be as positive as I can in all aspects of my life. What’s the worst injury you’ve had? Zach: I’ve been greatly blessed, I haven’t had many injuries. The worst I’ve experienced is a broken hand from playing football. Rodeo has had nothing to do with my injuries. What keeps you competing? Zach: It’s something that gets my adrenaline going, no matter what day or how I’m feeling. I love riding bucking horses and my family loves the sport. They like to see me excel at anything I do. Getting to wake up every morning to go to a rodeo, it’s the best thing I get to do. What are three things that you can’t live without? Zach: My fiancée, Stormy; my dog, Spur; and my family. They make

life easier and push me to be better at anything I do. What advice do you have for amateur riders? Zach: Keep your chin down and hand closed – the basics of bareback. Also, when I was on my permit I thought I needed to rodeo on my own and compete at big rodeos far away from home. What I learned was that competing at the smaller rodeos closer to home was better. I could still earn money and get more comfortable and confident with my capabilities before competing with the big boys.

What’s your favorite way to de-stress? Zach: I like to team rope when I go home. I usually rope with my little brothers. We have an arena in our backyard. It’s something I have fun doing and keeps my mind off things. What’s your favorite thing to spend money on? Zach: I don’t like to spend money that often, I try to hold on to as much as I can. We work hard at rodeo, competing at tons of rodeos, getting on wild animals. Once I earn a check, I don’t want to blow my money. What usually goes through your mind when you’re on a bronc? Zach: Everything happens so fast. I try and remember to have fun and stay on … It kind of hurts when you get thrown off. How do you get ready for a ride? Zach: We arrive an hour-and-half before every performance. We check our equipment and make sure everything feels good. We also stretch so we’re as limber as possible.

ZACH HIBLER

ProRodeo Sports News 7/27/2018

ProRodeo.com

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