Indian Rodeo News.com

No, for Griswold – one of the elite saddle bronc riders in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for 19 years – his December venture to Las Vegas is the culmination of another tremendous year riding bucking horses. He has earned his ticket to the National Finals Rodeo by finishing the 2008 season among the top 15 broncbusters in the sport with more than $63,500 in earnings.

“My goal out there is to win rounds and at the end of it win the average,” said Griswold, making his fourth appearance on ProRodeo’s biggest stage. “If I do enough, there could be a gold buckle at the end of it.”

In rodeo, dollars are points, and the contestants in each event at the conclusion of the season-ending championship will win the title and the wearable trophy that comes with it. And at the NFR, the biggest money of the season awaits the list of top-notch cowboys and cowgirls.

There are 10 go-rounds that take place at the Thomas & Mack Center on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus from Dec. 4-13. Each round will have a payout of about $17,000, which is a major drawing factor for cowboys and cowgirls who travel the rugged rodeo trail throughout the season.

“We took the mindset of making the finals from the beginning of the season,” said Griswold, a certified equine dentist who rides bucking horses for a living and makes his business decisions with his wife, Lynn, and three daughters in mind. “From the get-go, that was the goal, and having that mindset makes all the difference in the world.”

Griswold had previously competed at the NFR in 1999, ’04 and ’06. He recognizes the special nature of ProRodeo’s grand finale, especially since the NFR is celebrating its 50^th year.

“At age 40, I’m looking at slowing down a little bit, and with this being the anniversary, my goals are to have the best year of my career and the best NFR,” said Griswold, born and raised in Washington state but moved to the Sooner State in the early 1990s, where he was part of the champion Southwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo team.

“I’ll have a huge following from the Northwest, so that’ll be a big deal.”

Over the next couple of months, look for Griswold to be putting in a heavyweight workout routine. He will also continue his work as an equine dentist, which is a workout itself.

“The biggest deal for me is working on my agility and being in shape, being physically fit,” he said. “Cardio is one of the biggest things, and you want to get in as much abdominal work as you can handle. It takes it all when you’re getting on 10 head in 10 days.”

While Griswold’s regular season is complete, he will get a chance to get on quality bucking beasts from Oct. 23-25 when he competes at the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo during the American Royal in Kansas City, Mo. Griswold is among the top 12 bronc riders in the circuit, made up of contestants and rodeos across Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska.

“The circuit’s important to me, and being at the finals will give me a chance to get on some quality bucking horses,” said Griswold, who has won championships in both the Great Lakes and Prairie circuits. “The key is staying healthy, but with the money that’s up at the circuit finals, you’ve got to take a shot at it.

“Plus, winning the circuit or the circuit finals has always been important in my career.”

In today’s market, there’s so much to being a cowboy. Rodeo is Griswold’s business, and his Web site – BobbyGriswold.com – is an important step in his marketing maneuvers. Not only is it a tool to showcase Griswold, but it also provides an outlet to sponsors who invest in Griswold.

After all, when his athletic talents are on display at dozens of rodeos a year and on national television throughout the National Finals Rodeo, the exposure for sponsors is unlimited.

And make no bones about it, Griswold is anxious to make 2008 his most magical season ever. He knows the roller coaster that is the NFR, where he’ll get on the best horses in the sport or the ones that will put you in the dirt in a heartbeat.

“I look forward to riding the eliminator pens, because most guys don’t,” said Griswold, who has one round win in 30 go-rounds. “If you’ve got a handle on the mental side of it, you have the advantage, because there’s always somebody who talks themselves out of riding an eliminator.

“I don’t like to be conservative. When I’m trying to for the round, that’s when I’m at my best.”

To reach Bobby Griswold directly, call (405) 850-2769.

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Bobby Griswold

Hous07-P11-076_bobbyGRISWOLD

Native Affiliation: Cherokee

Married: Lynn

Daughters: Sarah, Sage

Pets: Dog “Corky”

Horses: 8 head

Residence; Geary, Oklahoma

Born: 3/1/68 –Toppenish, Washington.

Joined PRCA: 1990

Career Earnings: $ 561,917.00

WNFR Qualifications:3

2006 World Standings: 11^th place

2006 Wrangler NFR Placed 5^th

2006 Wrangler NFR Earnings $38,590.00

2006 Earnings: $105,921.00

Tour Finale Qualifications: 4

Summer Finale: 2004, 2006

Championship: 2004, 2006

Education:

Walla Walla, Wa. Community College

South Western Oklahoma State University, Weatherford OK.

2006 Highlights

Placed in six out of 10 rounds at the Wrangler NFR.
Co-champion at the Old Fort Days Rodeo (Fort Smith, Ark.).

Career Highlights

2005 – Won the Charlotte (Mich.) Frontier Days, the West Texas Fair & Rodeo (Abilene, Texas), the Great Plains Stampede (Altus, Okla.), the Nebraska’s Big Rodeo (Burwell, Neb.), the Woodward (Okla.) Elks Rodeo and the Wahoo (Neb.) PRCA Rodeo; was co-champion at Kansas Largest Night Rodeo (Pretty Prairie, Kan.).
2004 – Was a finalist at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo (Pocatello, Idaho) after earlier finishing second in the second round, tied for third in the average and won the semifinal round; won the Wrangler Tour-round title at the Greeley (Colo.) Rocky Mountain Stampede; finished third at the Pace Picante ProRodeo Challenge (Omaha, Neb.) and second at the Pace Picante ProRodeo Classic (Dallas); placed in four of 10 rounds at the Wrangler NFR. Finished 14th in the world with $81,590.
2003 – Claimed year-end title in the Prairie Circuit.
2001 – Won Great Lake Circuit’s year-end title.
2000 – Earned share of event title at the Lawton (Okla.) Rangers Rodeo.
1999 – Finished 16th during the regular season, but replaced the injured Glen O’Neill at the National Finals Rodeo and won $24,672, highlighted by a victory in the fourth round with an 83-point ride on Big Bend’s Skoal’s Miss Kitty; finished 11th in the final world standings; earned aggregate title at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.
1999 – Won the aggregate title at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. This was the first time he had one a belt buckle at a PRCA rodeo.

IRN: Is there a story on your family history or your native affiliation?

BG- Oh yeah! My Great Grandma was full blooded Cherokee, born under a tree in Bartles, Oklahoma. She raised 13 children. When the last wagon train left out of the Oklahoma territory, my gramma ma and GranPaPa was on there headed for Spokane, Washington. I guess that’s how we ended up at Toppenish, Washington. I have other relatives on the Washington Coast that are related to me, and their native. I actually have a cousin working very hard to get an equestrian Center built on the reservation over near Olympia, Washinton.

IRN: Hows your year starting thus far?

BG-Odessa, Tx. I entered a Bulls and Broncs Match Series

I like those roughstock competitions… Denver will be my first rodeo

IRN: When did you start rodeoing?

BG-Geeez, I guess 1988… Oh no! 1978.. Growing up on the Yakama Indian Reservation, where rodeo is prominent I call myself lucky…I first attended Mike Ring’s Bull dogging school, I then went to David Bothum’s Saddle Bronc Riding School. As a very young kid I rodeo’d in the Eagle Jr. Rodeo Association and the Cayuse Jr. Rodeo Association. In the Northwest there are a lot of Cowboys that start that young and younger. I then High School rodeo’d and into the college ranks. My dad, brother and sister all rodeo’d; it was just part of my life from the beginning.

IRN: What other sports do you enjoy?

BG: I like to Golf, when I can… Its relaxing.

IRN: Whats the funniest thing you have seen at a rodeo?

BG-I’ll have to think on that..

IRN: What advice would you give to a native youth wanting to get started in rodeo?

BG-First find a good school, a very good instructor; and then the best equipment. I went to Mike Ring Bull Dogging Sch. And David Bothum’s Saddle Bronc Riding School, They were both very good instructors, and they gave me the tools to rodeo. Practice, it takes dedicated practice. And finally stay on top of your game! “Stay Clean” Don’t let other people let you lose your focus- “Skies the limit”

IRN: What is your favorite music?

BG-I like Christian Rock, and some of the Old Country. Todays Country is so negative, I try to listen to music that keeps me up-beat and not on a negative tip.

IRN: Whats’ your favorite movie?

BG- Action movies and I like John Wayne, Robert Meachum. And I especially like what Robert Duvall has done to Western movies today- “ Lonesome Dove” Who doesn’t like that movie.

IRN: What would you like to see change in the sport of rodeo… In all aspects of rodeo?

BG- A better judging system for the COWBOYS, I think we should think of our fan base as well… The explanation of the sport of rodeo in all aspects. I think since we look at our fans for our rodeo attendances and our fan base, we should explain a little better. And more televised Rodeo!

IRN: What was your most memorable ride?

BG- San Antonio, TX 1999- I won my first PRCA Rodeo!

Would you like to thank your sponsors or anyone that helped you get where you are?

BG-Yes I would like to thank my family. I’m gone a lot, and this year I want to be able to pick and chose which rodeo’s I want to attend.

Hamley Saddlry- of Pendleton,OR

I would like to be sponsored by one of Yakama’s Agriculture produces or enterprises, Ive always felt like Toppenish , Wa. was my home and I would be proud to wear a Yakama Juice patch on my vest! Thank you Indian Rodeo News! It was nice talking with you!

IRN: We would like to thank Bobby Griswold from his busy schedule of Equine dentistry, and his Saddle Bronc Riding Career to make this interview possible! Good Luck Bobby! And we’ll work on that sponsor and patch for you with the Yakama Nation and Yakama Juice

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