story by Ty Pellam
Tye Pellam – Lone S Photography
In his first year with the KPRA, Ty Pellam took to the buckin’ chutes to finish as the 2014 Rough Stock Rookie Cowboy of the Year and fifth in the year-end bareback riding standings. Winning over $1,600 throughout the season allowed the 21-year-old cowboy to climb to the top five of the overall Rookie of the Year standings, where he finished fourth for the season. “The KPRA is a good association with good people heading it. They are always willing to work with you and your rodeo schedule; not double booking, and Tina Kessler does an outstanding job with that,” he said. “Also, there are good horses to get on at good rodeos.”
Ty’s appearances in the arena stretches beyond an eight-second ride at a time, he also competes in the team roping. In addition, the riggin’ rider works the ground as a bull fighter, but was hurt almost two years ago. His extensive injuries forced the all-around cowboy to sit the sidelines for a year and three months to recover, but was introduced to the KPRA through a friend toward the end of that period. “I really had to get back to the basics, but I am fully recovered and ready to get back on some buckin’ horses,” he said.
Having started his rodeo career as a bull rider, Ty switched to bareback horses at the age of 13 and has been spurring them for seven years now. His driving force for the event flop roots back to his dad (Tim), who previously rode barebacks and saddle broncs within the RCA and the California Cowboys Association. “I was able to get second place at my first rodeo that I competed at and I just went from there,” Ty said. The domination of rodeo in the Pellam family extends to his three older brother, two of which continue to compete as team ropers, and his older sister (Kaylynn), who started as an all-around cowgirl and later became the first female competitor of the PBR. As the youngest of five children, one of Ty’s biggest influences is his sister. “She is my role model and the reason I leaned toward bareback horses,” he said.
Originally from Calif., Ty moved to Okla., with his mom and sister in 2007 in order to rodeo more frequently. He now attends Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Okla., where he is pursuing a degree in animal science to become a large animal vet and horse chiropractor. The junior student-athlete is a member of the Aggies rodeo team, where he extends his competition to the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and has recently purchased his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association permit.
With his first year tucked securely under his belt, Ty plans on continuing with the KPRA and is shooting for high status. “I want to comeback healthy and am headed for the top of the standings. I would like to be able to either win the year-end or get the reserve title,” he said.
