ProRodeo Sports News - March 15, 2024

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

Wacey Schalla, 18, has his first season of ProRodeo headed in the right direction after a strong start to 2024. Schalla competes in both the bareback riding and bull riding. His biggest payday so far this season came at the Homestead (Fla.) Championship Rodeo. He earned $3,924 for his 91.5-point ride on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Prove It. The Arapaho, Okla., cowboy currently leads the Resistol Rookie of the Year race in the all-around with $19,636.

WACEY SCHALLA

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Wacey: My dad rode bucking horses and bulls. I guess you could say I was born into it. My dad’s biggest win was when he won Cheyenne (Wyo.) in the bronc riding. So, I saw that when I was little and knew it was something I always wanted to do. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Wacey: My freshman year I went to National High School Finals Rodeo in the bull riding and did pretty good. Then my junior year, I won the bull riding and the all-around title and finished third in the bareback riding. At that point, I knew it was something I wanted to try and make a career of. Why did you decide bareback riding and bull riding would be your events? Wacey: Bull riding has always been my main event, but I guess the bareback riding just kind of clicked for me. I didn’t really take bareback serious until probably my junior year of high school. I think doing both events gives me a good shot in the all-around. Who’s someone you look up to in the sport of rodeo? Wacey: Cody Custer and my dad have helped me out so much along the way. As far as present times go, Stetson (Wright) and Ky (Hamilton) have been really good to me and helped me out a lot. So, I definitely look up to those three guys and my dad for sure. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over?

Wacey: Obviously having a gold buckle someday would be awesome, but I want to win Cheyenne and have the same buckle as my dad. That’s one of my main goals. What are you hoping to learn during your Resistol Rookie season? Wacey: There’s a lot out there that I’m going to learn, I’m sure. But I’m just going to go out there and travel, see as much as I can, and try to do as much as I can in a short amount of time. Why did you decide to buy your PRCA card at this point in your career?

Wacey: As soon as I turned 18 last November, I filled my Permit and went ahead and bought my PRCA card. So, I figured if I was going to do it, I might as well go all the way. I’m still having some trouble getting into a few of the rodeos. I’m just trying to capitalize on the ones I do get to ride at. What was your most memorable moment on your permit? Wacey: I won Las Vegas Days in the bull riding and finished third in the bareback riding last November and filled my Permit. So, that’s probably the most memorable moment for me. What’s your favorite restaurant? Wacey: My traveling partner Jacob Carige is an Australian. So, we’ve been going to Outback Steakhouse quite a bit. So, I’d say that’s probably my favorite right now. Do you have a favorite candy? Wacey: I would have to go with PayDay candy bars. What was the make and model of the first vehicle you drove? Wacey: It was actually my mom’s 2018 Lexus. I was pretty lucky to get to drive that. What’s your favorite movie? Wacey: There’s no doubt that Unbroken is my favorite movie. It’s a pretty awesome movie about an Army soldier that gets stranded in the ocean. What’s your favorite holiday? Wacey: I am going to have to say Thanksgiving because you get to see your family that you haven’t seen in a while and get to eat a big meal on top of that. What type of music do you like listening to? Wacey: I’m a man of many genres. You can’t go wrong with some good classic rock though. What do you enjoy doing in your downtime from rodeo? Wacey: I actually buy, raise, and sell bucking bulls. So, that’s what I spend a lot of time on when I’m not rodeoing.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/15/2024

ProRodeo.com

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