Ethan Wessel

story by Magie Downare-Nevius

photo by FotoCowboy

Ethan Wessel was crowned the Central Plains Rodeo Association (CePRA) 2013 reserve champion saddle bronc rider and has returned, in his fourth season with the organization, aiming at a championship title. “I’d like to win the whole deal; the finals and the year-end,” he said. The 25-year-old cowboy is well on his way to accomplishing those goals as he is currently sitting on top of the standings with approximately $2,000 won throughout the season with an approximate $1,300 lead over his closest competitor. “The CePRA has a great family atmosphere, strong competition and is run smooth by great people,” he said.
Climbing over the buckin’ chutes is something that the Marion, Kans., resident is well acquainted to as he started as a youngster in the mutton busting in a jumpstart from his uncle (Raymond Wessel, Wrangler National Finals bull rider and one of only three men who rode Pete Burns Rodeo Company’s Mr. T). “I’ve been around it my whole life,” said Ethan. While neither of his parents (Roy and Brenda) were rodeo competitors, Ethan says that it was their support that carried him to where he is today. “They are very supportive and they try to go to all the rodeos they can,” he said.
Advancement in his events found Ethan progressing to larger roughstock over the years and as a high school athlete competed in the bull riding. By 2004, Ethan expanded his events and was sitting in a bronc saddle. Unfortunately, he experienced a setback in the fall of 2007, when he broke his back during his senior year in the bull riding and was forced to veer away from his true passions. The obstacle was a short lived delay for Ethan and he found his way back to the arena as a steer wrestler for a single year at Pratt Community College. A full recovery found him returning to the bucking chutes, where he made saddle bronc riding his primary event about four years ago, but bull riding remains in his veins as he still travels with athletes (Jesse Schelhammer and Kenny Upton) from the event. Support continues to surround Ethan through his girlfriend (Karli Stucky). The two have been together a little over a year and Karli often hit’s the rodeo trail with Ethan. “She travels with me to almost every one,” he said.
In an attempt to better himself, Ethan is also a permit holder within the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and occasionally enters shows within the International Professional Rodeo Association and the American Cowboys Rodeo Association. “I just try to ride as many horses that I can,” he said.
When he is not on the path of rodeo, Ethan has made is living at Rafter P feedlots going on 14 years. “I grew up into the deal. I really like it and get to work with my dad everyday,” he said. “He has taught me so much and the things that I’ve learned from him are things that you’ll never learn in school.”