story by Lily Weinacht
Donny Proffit is one of the three bareback riders in the WHSRA, and the 17-year-old from Diamondville, Wyoming, finished 8th in the nation after competing in his first NHSFR. “I probably could have gone at my first two horses a little more, but on my last one in the short round I thought I did the best I could,” says Donny, who also competes in bull riding. “It’s easier for me to get bareback horses rode, and what’s challenging is making that good ride and getting those spur licks in. It’s super cool to feel those spurs start to roll. And there’s nothing better than riding a bull. The adrenaline and knowing you just made a good ride is awesome.”
Donny, who entered the rodeo world through mutton busting when he was 2, has been riding bulls the longest. His dad, Clint Proffit, rode bareback horses, and inspired Donny to do the same. “I don’t know if I would have done it if he hadn’t wanted me to,” says Donny. “When I was younger, he’d take me to rodeos and pay for my entry fees, and my mom, Veronica Proffit, helps me pay for fees. I usually travel with friends, and my parents were out for my performances at Nationals, and so was the rest of my family. It was pretty cool.”
Several of Donny’s rodeo buddies—Dylan Grant, Wyatt Phelps, and Riggen Myers—qualified for the NHSFR as well. They enjoyed spending extra time together and going to dances, while Donny went home on his day off to help his dad on their ranch. “Everyone just tries to do the best that they can, and at the end of the day, you’re traveling partners. You hope they do good, and you pull their rigging or rope, or spot them, and try to give them the help that they need. We usually help each other critique on the way home, and I’ll video for them. It’s always been a dream of mine to rodeo professionally and make a living at it, so that’s just part of it—you have to put in the sacrifice and hard work.”
During the week, Donny rides colts, both for his family and several clients, and practices on the bucking barrel or spur board. He goes up to Jackson to ride Buskin Wilson’s bulls occasionally, and Donny is also building his skills as a farrier, working alongside his dad. “I started helping him with finishing them, and I just started shoeing last year. There’s always going to be a need for a shoer.” Donny and his family also enjoy riding and checking cows. He has a younger brother and sister, Sorrel and Roanie Proffit, and two older brothers, Jet Proffit and Dustin Kruckenburg. They all like to ride, and Donny’s main horse, Bay Boy, is a 10-year-old gelding he trained from the ground up in the last year. “He’s turned out to be a pretty good horse, and he covers a lot of country. He’s one of the first horses I followed all the way up. We mostly do pleasure riding, and I’ll jump in my English saddle and ride around for balance.”
A senior at Kemmerer High School, Donny is a three-time state champion in wrestling, and went undefeated last year. He also plays running back and linebacker on his school’s football team, and plans to rodeo in college. “My rodeo goal is getting consistent,” he finishes. “I placed 8th this year at Nationals and I’d like to go ahead and win it next year. I want to qualify in bull riding for Nationals too, and eventually I want to make a living at rodeo.”
