The ProRodeo Sports News - April 19, 2019

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TRACY RENCK

Chris Bechthold, a 23-year-old from Booker, Texas, is having a strong rookie season. He’s fourth in the PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings as a bull rider with $17,099. He stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 155 pounds. He rodeoed on his PRCA permit last year and earned $6,699. He bought his PRCA card in September 2018.

How did you get involved with rodeo? Chris: I have been rodeoing since I was 5 years old. I did the mutton busting, calf riding, junior rodeos and then high school and college rodeos. I also roped and did all the other events, but it was not as exciting as bull riding. I remember when I was younger, I always looked up to the older guys who rode bulls. To me, they were superhuman to be able to go out there and ride bulls, and I wanted to be like them. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Chris: I have an older brother, E.J., who is 26. He rides bulls in the PRCA like me, and he also tie-down ropes. He’s recovering from an ankle injury right now.

CHRIS BECHTHOLD

What has this season been like for you? Chris: This season has been different because I’ve been able to get into some rodeos I haven’t been able to in previous years. It has been cool going to different rodeos. Last year, I was able to rodeo pretty hard on my permit and was able to get a taste of what it was like to be out there and be on the road, which has helped me this year. What does 8 seconds mean to you? Chris: Eight seconds means an adrenaline rush, and it’s fun. It’s a way to get away from everything and focus on the one task at hand. Did you rodeo at a college? Chris: Yes, I rodeoed at West Texas A&M in Canyon. It was a different experience being on your own and having to take care of your horses because I used to tie-down rope and bulldog, as well. I also had to stay on top of my classes. It was different, but I really enjoyed it. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural media and communications last spring. I saw that you also became a rodeo coach this year at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas. What’s that been like? Chris: I’m the assistant coach, and I focus on the roughstock events. This has been a big learning experience, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I learned a lot about myself and got to see rodeo from a different perspective. I’m trying to help kids and show them what they are doing wrong, and that has helped me as a competitor and pushed me to be better because I need to set the example for them. Especially since most of the time I’m competing against them at rodeos, and I can’t let them have bragging rights on me. What’s your schedule like these days? Chris: Monday throughWednesday I’m in Borger, helping with practice and taking care of the livestock, and then Thursday through Saturday I try and rodeo hard. Who is your rodeo idol? Chris: Ty Murray. He was great at everything, and he was the best cowboy in his day. What’s your favorite restaurant? Chris: Applebee’s. They used to have a cowboy burger that I ate there with a Dr Pepper. What’s your favorite candy or dessert? Chris: Skittles is my favorite candy, and my favorite desert is German chocolate cake. What’s your go-to movie? Chris: “Tombstone.” I like the story the movie has, and I’ve always been fond of Western movies. I have probably seen the movie 100 times. What’s the last concert you saw? Chris: I saw (country singer) Kevin Fowler at Rodeo Austin. That was a good time. What sports team do you root for? Chris: The Dallas Cowboys. My favorite player on their team right now is (wide receiver) Amari Cooper. What social media do you use the most? Chris: I would say Instagram. You can always go on PRCA’s Instagram (@prca_prorodeo) and watch good bull rides and bronc rides from guys. There are a lot of cool videos to watch. What would your life be like if you didn’t have a cellphone? Chris: I would probably be more productive and get more stuff done. I use my cellphone the most for the GPS when I’m going to rodeos trying to find my way around. What was your favorite cartoon as a kid? Chris: “Tom and Jerry.” There was always something new, and those two were always getting into something. I used to love to see what Jerry would get Tom to do and how Tomwould always have a plan to get him, and it would never work out.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/19/2019

ProRodeo.com

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