story by Lindsay King
Thirteen-year-old Travis Wimberley remembers gripping wool as one of the first steps leading to his desire to ride bulls. “My dad asked if I wanted to get on sheep when I was six and it started from there. I rode my first mini bull at seven and it was not enough. I rode mini bulls and steers until I was 12. Then I got on peewee bulls and have not looked back since,” said the Southwest, New Mexico, bareback steer and bull rider. “I have a lot more fun riding bulls just because it does not take so much out of me for each ride. To ride with proper technique on a steer I have to use every muscle in my body, it takes a controlled ride to get the most points.” His steer coach, Jimmy Nugent, is not only a great friend but also someone Travis looks up to. “He has spent a lot of time working with me and my steer riding. Even though I picture myself a bull rider, he must think I am able to pull off some bareback steer rides too.”
Regardless, Travis is good at both events. He won steers and bulls at the New Mexico state finals this year. “One of my proudest moments was winning the world in 2016 for bull riding. I got a saddle and everything, it was all pretty big for me.” Travis has ridden in the MBR for the past four years, but this will be his last year. “They tour with the PBR a lot and one year in Dallas I got to ride during the Iron Cowboy.” At the MBR finals in Vegas last October, Travis jumped off after making his ride, tried to catch himself with his free arm and it simply snapped in half. “I was out for five months. Usually I ride with broken bones but I had to get a rod and two pins put in so I could not do anything.”
Bull riding is a family sport for the Wimberley’s. Nathan, his dad, rode bulls when he was younger also. “My dad has taught me everything I know. He won his region in Texas when he was younger. Without him I would not be able to ride as well as I do.” Travis is the second oldest of four kids: Quintin, 17, Wyhatt, 8, and and their sister, Wylie, 4. He used to compete against Quintin. “My brother is pretty good at it. We both talk big but it is just fun. We always tell each other to go all out and not to fall off.” Usually the whole family, including their mom, Bridget, go to all the rodeos. “It feels good knowing people are there to support me. And if I get hurt I know they are there to help too.”
The eighth grader goes to Valencia Junior High School and finds math to be the easiest, thus his favorite, subject. Outside of rodeo, Travis is a football player. “I usually play wingback but I am now the starting quarter back. It is physical and I think it is fun to get to tackle people.” Travis is learning the welding trade from his dad. “We build fences for a friend who has PBR bulls and we make gates now.” When he grows up, Travis wants to slide his hand into bull ropes on the PBR tour. His backup plan is to become a welder. Travis looks up to his dad in life, rodeo and welding, he is easily one of his role models.
“I met Paulo Crimber’s son, John, at a MBR event last year. We got to know each other and they are family in my book. Paulo picked me up from the hospital in Vegas when I broke my arm.” The people and the bulls are what Travis likes most about the NMJHSRA. “The rodeos are all over the place but most are no more than three hours down the road from me.” Travis lives and rides by Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He also carries two pieces of advice everywhere he rides: “don’t be scared to try your best” and “never be scared to get back on.”
