story by Rachel Hummel
“Rodeo means a lot to me. There’s just something about it, it’s the heart of rodeo and the heart of the people who compete in it that makes it special. Not to mention, it’s just plain fun,” says 18-year-old Tyler Turco from Franktown, Colo. This is his fourth year as a member of the CSHSRA, and he competes solely in the saddle bronc riding.
Tyler got his start in the sport the summer following the 8th grade, but had an interest in it since long before. “Growing up, there were always horses around. There was one fresh little mare in particular, Sassy, who could always be counted on to buck at some point during a ride. I always just thought it was fun though and began to really be interested in bronc riding. My mom did some research and just before my freshman year we found a bronc riding school that looked good. I spent some time getting my gear right and learning the ropes. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked and I have no plans of stopping anytime soon.”
Tyler Turco
– JenningsRodeoPhotography.com
In addition to high school rodeo, Tyler is also a member of the National Little Britches Rodeo Association as well as the Colorado Professional Rodeo Association. Following the end of this high school season, Tyler plans on taking it one step further and getting his permit for the PRCA. “I definitely have dreams of making it to the NFR one day. I think that everyone dreams of that, but I plan on working as hard as possible to try and make sure that it comes true.”
Outside of rodeo, Tyler is one the wrestling team at Ponderosa High School, where he is a senior. His other pastimes center on being outdoors and include going fly fishing and bow hunting. “When it comes to hunting, I just being there for the actual hunt, it doesn’t even really matter what I’m hunting for. If I had to pick a favorite though, I definitely like hunting for mule deer and elk the most.” Tyler would love to be able to take his love of hunting and being outdoors and turn it into a career eventually, in the form of being a guider and an outfitter.
Other goals that Tyler has set for the future, more in the short-term, include winning a state championship this year in order to make a return to trip to nationals, as well as having a successful trip to the national finals. “I just have to focus on each and every horse I get on and make sure I am riding each one to the best of my ability.”
For Tyler, being prepared means getting in the right mindset, in much the same way he does for wrestling. “I have to get loose and get warmed up. After that, it’s just a mental game, and I have to know that I am in control of the horse. Every time you get on one, it’s a battle and you have to be willing to fight for jump and spur and every lift of the rein.”
Tyler would like to thank his family, which includes his parents, Jeremiah and Cindy, his brother Daniel, and his sister Ashley, for all of their support and help. He would also like to thank his role models Taos Muncy, Billy Etbauer, and Ted Nugent for inspiring him, as well as all of his buddies that encourage him at the rodeos and make them so great.
