This week, I was able to sit down with Creighton Curley, who is a Professional Saddle Bronc Rider. I was able to get some insights as to what it’s like traveling down the road and what it takes to get ready for competing. Let’s dig in!
CLN: Can you tell our audience a little about yourself?
Creighton: I grew up watching my father, who was a saddle bronc rider, and the idea of being a saddle bronc rider has been with me since I was young. I’m 25 and married now, from the Navajo Nation, and I have an eight-month-old baby girl.
It was around 2013 when I first started saddle bronc riding. I stayed around the Navajo Nation competing in some rodeo associations that are on the reservation. I rode in those associations for about three years, then in 2016, I bought my INFR card, then in 2018, I bought my PRCA permit. I was on my permit for two years, 2018 and 2019, then 2020 was my Rookie Year but because of the pandemic, I wasn’t really able to ride until the last two years or so.
CLN: How do you get yourself ready to ride?
Creighton: I’m in a program called Champion Living Fitness and am coached by Logan Corbett, who is a retired bareback rider. He used to be the head coach down in Las Cruces and now he coaches athletes for a living. As part of the program, he sends me workouts every day. I wake up at about four o’clock in the morning to work out, then head to work Monday-Thursday. Then Thursday and Friday, I make sure to stretch and work on my mobility, then on the weekends, I’m usually rodeoing. The workouts really help me mentally as well, like pushing myself to go past the limits and use that mentality in my riding.
CLN: Who do you look up to the most in the rodeo industry?
Creighton: Definitely Derrick Begay, he’s a good guy. I also really admire Billy Etbauer. I’m a pretty short rider at 5’5 and he’s about the same size so he’s good for me to model after. He’s a good person and really humble, which is what I try to be as well.
CLN: What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into rodeo or saddle bronc riding?
Creighton: Find some good equipment because if you don’t have good equipment, you can get yourself hurt. If you’re a young saddle bronc rider looking for more practice, Tom Reeves puts on a school for youth saddle bronc riders. You also just need to believe in yourself and keep going, that is what is going to make you a good bronc rider.
CLN: What do your goals look like for this season?
Creighton: I’m just trying to go to as many rodeos as I can and just win as much money as I can. I also have the INFR World Championship on my mind as well, as I’m currently sitting second in the INFR standings.
CLN: What has it been like knowing you have the support of CKP Insurance to help you get down the road?
Creighton: I can’t thank them enough for their help over the past few years. I really wouldn’t be able to do what I do without them. Rodeoing can get pretty expensive and it means the world that CKP plays a part in helping me get down the rodeo road.
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