story by Lindsay King
Always an eye for the saddle broncs, Preston Ogle from Des Moines, New Mexico, finally got to ride them competitively when he turned 16. “I was pretty small when I was a freshman. My dad, Vic, did not want me to get hurt just because of my size,” said the 18-year-old recent high school graduate. Preston needed “rodeo place-holders” until he could ride broncs. He tried his hand at everything. “I did every event when I was younger, I even rode steers.” His first two years of high school, Preston roped calves, team roped and rode bulls, three things he has not done competitively for over a year now.
“When I was little I really wanted to rodeo but I did not know which event I wanted to work hard to be good at so I tried them all. I liked watching the saddle broncs on T.V. and thought it seemed like the most fun event.” Vic is a pick up man so Preston has been around it quite a bit. “Not many people can say their dad is usually their pick up man. He is for sure my biggest mentor.” His mom, Marla, has driven Preston all over the country and is his biggest supporter. “Without my parents, I would not be anywhere near where I am today in rodeo.”
Preston grew up on the family ranch, Amisdad Cattle Company. Vic manages their cattle ranch and Preston aspires to be just like him in both rodeo and life. He is attending Oklahoma Panhandle State University majoring in agricultural business and competing on their rodeo team. “The coach actually wants me to team rope and calf rope for them but I would really like to continue riding saddle broncs. It gets my blooding pumping. There is no other feeling in the world like making a good ride.”
Preston started riding reined cow horses a few years ago in high school rodeos. He is a multiple state champion and national qualifier for both saddle broncs and reined cow horse. “The last two years I have won state in both events. I missed the short round in reined cow horse at nationals but two holes but I finished tenth in the world in broncs.” This year he was the reserve champion saddle bronc rider in Little Britches. “There are a lot of good rodeo athletes that are a result of the NMHSRA. A lot of them showed up to state rodeos to support us and give us tips. We always had a lot of fun and good stock contractors at those rodeos.”
In 2015, when Preston could finally ride broncs his free arm was stepped on and broken to pieces. “It was the first rodeo I entered, I got hung up and drug around the arena. I had two surgeries and they took me out for about six months.” Healed up and at the top of his game, he will be working hard to make the college finals this year. “I bought my PRCA permit so I have been going to a few pro rodeos. I would like to make a run at the NFR but will probably wait so I can shoot for winning rookie of the year. I think it would be a huge honor to win that.” He knows every horse he gets on is different, but Preston tries to spur the same every time. “There is a lot of repetition in it so I get into a routine before I ride.”
Preston is also a craftsman, simple leather work and tack repairs fill his spare time. He also braids halters, lead ropes and reins. “During the summer I rodeo as much as I can but I also work on the ranch to make some money. I shoe a few horses also, I stay pretty busy most of the time.” Practice makes perfect, Preston’s best advice is to practice as often and as hard as possible. “I try to out-work the horse, bull or next competitor. I am always thinking about it [rodeo]. I always try and work the hardest at whatever it is I am doing. The best quote I have heard behind the chutes is: ‘hold them for two and then let them fly.”
