ProRodeo Sports News - May 12, 2023

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

Weston Patterson, 21, has his Resistol Rookie season off to a good start in 2023. The Waverly, Kan., saddle bronc rider is coming off a second-place finish at the Angelina Benefit Rodeo in Lufkin, Texas, April 27. Patterson currently sits 45th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings as of May 10, with $12,417 in earnings. He is sixth in the running for the Saddle Bronc Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year award.

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Weston: My dad steer wrestled, and he did ProRodeo for a handful of years. I grew up around the rodeo scene. So, just like every other young kid that grew up around rodeo it’s just something you do. I fell in love with it at a young age and just kept pursuing it. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Weston: These past few years it seems like there’s more money added at rodeos than there ever has been. I went to college in Clarendon, Texas, and my bronc riding excelled leaps and bounds from there. That’s when I came to the realization that I can play with the big dogs and make a living doing this. Why did you decide to compete in saddle bronc riding? Weston: I was in junior high when they started the saddle bronc steer riding and I have always been a big all-around type of guy. I got into that and kind of liked it. Then I got into high school, and I thought you know what I want to get on some bucking horses. After the first one, I thought there is where it’s at. What’s this season been like for you so far?

WESTON PATTERSON

Weston: This season has been really good, but it has also been a bit tougher. You will always run into challenges throughout the season. It’s been humbling, but a lot of fun as well. I’m just ready for this summer run to kickoff. Why did you decide to buy your PRCA card this year? Weston: Coming off winning the Permit Finals just last fall in 2022 I felt sharp. I told myself that I was ready. My coach Bret Franks (at Clarendon College) has been to the Finals three times, and he told me you’re ready when you’re ready. That gave me encouragement to go ahead and buy it. I figured why wait. Is there someone you look up to in the sport of rodeo? Weston: Wyatt Smith, our assistant coach at Clarendon (College) is someone I look up to. He has taught me a lot of the little things and how to stay positive about rodeo. He has been there and done that. I look up to him a lot. What’s one rodeo you want to win in your career? Weston: There’s a lot of rodeos I’d like to win, Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days would probably be up there. What’s your go-to restaurant when you’re out on the road? Weston: I don’t see this place very often when we are traveling unless I’m close to home. But Freddy’s would probably have to be my go-to. What’s your favorite movie or TV show? Weston: Friday Night Lights is one of my favorites. I like both the movie and the TV show, but I like the movie a little bit more. What was the make and model of your first vehicle? Weston: I had a 1997 single cab Dodge. It was the old feed truck and that’s what I started driving to school. We put a ton of miles on that thing. When you’re not rodeoing, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Weston: Whenever I’m not rodeoing, I usually have a couple horses that I’m working with around the house. So, just roping when I’m home and riding horses is what I really enjoy doing. What’s your ideal vacation spot? Weston: I went to Mexico last year in December and I liked it quite a bit. So, I guess I’d like to go back there one of these days. What type of music do you like listening to? Weston: I’m not a picky guy when it comes to music. I can listen to pretty much

any genre at any time of the day. It doesn’t matter if it’s old country, today’s rap, or rock ‘n’ roll. I like all music. My favorite band is probably Giovannie & The Hired Guns.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/12/2023

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