Photo via Instagram/WaylonBourgeois

Unlike many bareback riders in the Top 10 of the PRCA World Standings, World No. 8 Waylon Bourgeois failed to advance out of his bracket in San Antonio. He also didn’t compete in La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros in Tucson, the second-largest rodeo of the past weekend. As a result, he risked losing crucial ground in the standings.

Bourgeois understands the importance of every dollar earned, having finished No. 18 last season, just outside an NFR qualification, after keeping his first NFR appearance within reach for much of the year.

“I’ve always been motivated to make the NFR but after falling short by that close it’s on a different level of motivated and focused,” he said. “I am going to do the same thing as last year and capitalize on the opportunities that are given to me.”

Those words rang true when as he won the 152nd Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, Florida and the Georgia National Rodeo, a pair of wins that totaled nearly $8,000. Which is between what second and third place made in San Antone.

“After coming off of San Antonio and not making it back it felt great to go down there and ride good and have a really good week,” he said. “It feels great to be where I am and I know that God has me right where he wants me to be. It’s a really long year and I am super excited to get it started off strong.”

Being close to the National Finals did not change the way Bourgeois, a high school baseball and football standout, trains. He believes those sports gave him athleticism from a young age, so during the offseason he continued with a lot of core work and hip mobility exercises in addition to overall conditioning and riding the spur board.

“I’ve learned so many things in (the first three years of my career). But the most important is that you’re only going to get out, what you put in, and that will stick with me forever even after my rodeo days,” he said.

With the work he puts in, Bourgeois trusts his preparation when he rides. When asked about his hot start to the season, he emphasized that there was nothing special he was doing.

“I think it all starts with a good solid mark out and being prepared to let muscle memory take over,” he said. “And of course grit and try has to be there.”