Story by Kevin Cooley
The thought of climbing on a ranch bronc at this point in my life has lost all appeal and luster to me. I prefer the good, solid, and sound ones. You know, the ones we are pretty sure wont buck. Sure footed and solid is my preference these days. But for a few “old guys” out there, the thought of a good bronc ride still stirs up something in them. Fear isn’t that something I am referring to though. Excitement, thrill, adrenaline, those are the words I am talking about. TJ Camblin is one such guy. Always smiling and ready to shake your hand, TJ is a Wyoming boy, born and raised 50 years ago. He started riding broncs back in 1988 in high school. He rode broncs in high school, college and the pros and when he stopped he had no plans to return. Or so he thought. Fast forward 24 years and the bug bit him. Competing on a ranch rodeo team one sunny day in Meeteetse, Wyoming, he was coerced to climb on a ranch bronc for the team and he never looked back. I pick on TJ a lot throughout the year. When he can get off the ranch, he rides in many of the rodeos and ranch rodeos here in Northwest Wyoming that I have the privilege to announce. He’s the “old guy,” or “papa” or “gramps”, something along those lines. He faithfully climbs on his ranch bronc and consistently makes a solid ride. He also helps almost every other young ranch bronc rider out there. I have seen him put on a ranch bronc clinic for the young up and coming bronc riders. He is there to help set a saddle, pull a cinch tight or pull the gate if needed. TJ is just as passionate about bronc riding. He is so passionate he got his Sr. pro card this year and hit the road on the sr. circuit and road saddle bronc again after 27 years off. All the while riding ranch broncs every chance he has. It just so happens that he won Professional Senior Rodeo Association World Championship (over 50) this year. At the time I am writing this article he will be competing in the National Sr. Pro Rodeo Association this next weekend.
The WSRRA has been sanctioning ranch bronc competitions and had the 8 seconds Whiskey Tour Stop for 11 years now. TJ was a rookie in the association just 4 years ago in 2018. He came into the finals in Winnemucca battling with Wes Arogon for rookie of the year sitting 7th in the world. He started out with a bang, winning round one with an 82 point ride on a bronc named Miss U and I, from Curtis Koeppen. He finished the finals strong sitting 6th in the world and losing the rookie of the year buckle by 100 points. In 2019 he was just out of placing for the finals but never slowed down. This year he missed the finals by two spots in the ranch bronc but will be there on a team competing in the ranch rodeo. I can guarantee that the top 15 this year will be ready to put on a show. This is just a small taste of the personalities you get to see when you watch a ranch bronc competition. We are sure privileged here at the WSRRA to watch it all unfold and can’t wait to see you in Winnemucca November 5th-7th for the finals. Come see us.
