story by Lindsay King
Hard work is nothing new for Arcadia, Oklahoma, native Wacey Byrne, a four-event cowboy: saddle bronc steers, bull riding, team roping and goat tying. “Saddle bronc steers are my favorite, it gets my blood pumping the most,” said the 14-year-old. A third-generation rodeo competitor, Wacey and his sister Makenzy, 16, started when they were five years old. “We have been working our way up ever since we started. A lot of people have helped me get to where I am now, including my mom Misty.” Wacey is following in the footsteps of his dad, Pick, and grandfather as a rough stock rider. “My dad got me started on bulls when I was ten and then I started riding saddle bronc steers. I’ve enjoyed working hard at both since then.”
Wacey credits Tim Schneider for helping with his heeling, Cody Custer with his bull riding and Bobby Griswald for helping him with his saddle bronc riding. “I am using Bobby’s saddle right now and it is an honor to get to ride in that. My family helps me get where I need to be and cheer me on every time. My sister is great, she will buck me on the barrel when I need to, and I help her however I can.” Wacey works hard for his dad at their horse racing barn, Oakridge Training Center. “I help my dad as much as I can because I know it is expensive to rodeo. I am going to try and jockey to help build my strength and balance for rodeo. It will help me learn how to feel animals, and so I can start paying my own way through rodeo.”
The Byrne’s keep it all in the family, Wacey ropes with both Pick and Makenzy in jackpots. “I rope with Reagan Price in the junior high rodeos, he is an amazing header. We are hoping to place at state this year.” Wacey’s best memories of rodeo come from last year’s state finals where he finished as reserve champion in saddle bronc steer riding. “It is an intense four days, it kept me going. Everyone is cheering each other on no matter how they are doing themselves. The OKJHSRA is a lot of fun to compete in.”
To stay focused, Wacey doesn’t let anything in his head before his ride, not even if his draw is bad in the chute. “You can’t judge an animal by how they act in the chute. I can’t think about how good or big the animal is, I just focus on making my moves and riding the animal I draw.” George Schmidt, his uncle, is a bull rider and one of Wacey’s biggest fans. George calls Wacey before every rodeo, giving him confidence and mentally preparing him for each ride. Aside from his family, George is the person who drives Wacey to work hard.
The Luther Middle School eighth grader is also an athlete in football and track. He is a defensive corner back in football and runs the middle-distance races and relays in track. “Football is my favorite between the two, there is no other feeling than getting a good block to help your team do well.” An avid fisher and hunter, Wacey catches and releases bass in the family pond. “My dad and I went to Alaska last year on a fishing trip, I really liked catching salmon up there. There were a ton of bald eagles everywhere we went.”
When Wacey grows up he wants to become a small animal veterinarian. “Being a vet is just something I have always wanted to do. I will still be able to rodeo and have time for a family one day.” Generally Oklahoma Sooner fans, the family also cheers for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Denver Broncos. “We only cheer for OSU when they aren’t playing Oklahoma of course.” Ultimately, Wacey just wants to always pay it forward. “My rodeo goals are simple: I want to keep making friends and help people like I have been to get where I am today. All while pushing myself and my sister to get better and go to bigger and better rodeos every year.”
