West Valley City • Because bull riders don't have to watch their weight as closely as jockeys, Travis Atkinson made a career choice a few years ago.
He picked rodeo over racing.
He went from piloting swift horses to surviving aboard angry bulls.
So far, so good.
Atkinson, who joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2009, is enjoying his best season while competing in the nomadic world of bull riding.
"I love the lifestyle," Atkinson said. "I never really had a normal job. I like to go and do as I please, so that's probably it. â¦
"Maybe more than the money, I like the travel — getting out and not being tied to the same place all the time."
Heading into this week's Days of '47 Rodeo at the Maverik Center, Atkinson ranks 17th in the world among bull riders.
The top 15 money winners qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December, so he finds himself on the brink of a breakthrough season.
Reaching his first National Finals Rodeo "would mean a lot," Atkinson said. "Everybody out there rodeoing wants to make it.
"Maybe they don't want to openly admit that's what they're chasing. But for me, it would be a huge accomplishment — something I've always wanted to do."
One of only two boys in a family with 11 children, Atkinson graduated from Lehi High School in 2003.
By then, he was already riding horses and bulls.
At the racetrack, Atkinson worked mostly for his father, an ex-calf roper who had turned to training.
The father-son team raced mostly in Utah, Wyoming and Nevada with some success.
"We never won anything huge," Travis Atkinson said. "A few small derbies. ⦠We did OK."
At one point, Atkinson went to California to further his racing career.
As he got older, however, he had difficulty maintaining the weight necessary to be a jockey.
"I'm not that tall," he said, "but I'm thicker than most guys my size. So the weight thing finally caught up with me."
Since 2008, Atkinson has ridden bulls exclusively, with the complete support of his father, Lloyd.
"I don't think my dad ever missed one of my rodeos when I was growing up," Atkinson said. " ⦠He was always there for me."
After struggling in his first two seasons, including one on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's equivalent of a learner's permit, Atkinson took a step forward last year.
Although he fell short of qualifying for the National Finals, Atkinson won the prestigious Pendleton Roundup in Oregon with a 92-point ride.
He also won at Delta, Utah; Estes Park, Colo.; Missoula, Mont.; and Burley, Idaho.
Atkinson earned $33,300, finished 36th in the world standings and built the foundation for this season.
"Things have just been clicking," he said.
Already this year, Atkinson has won rich rodeos at Clovis and Santa Fe, N.M. Three weeks ago, he was ranked 10th in the world.
Atkinson credits experience for his success, but he has also avoided injuries, which can sidetrack any bull rider at any time.
"I've actually been pretty lucky," Atkinson said. "I guess I'm blessed with strong bones or else I know how to wreck pretty well. ⦠I got hurt more riding racehorses than riding bulls."
Atkinson's goal, of course, is reaching his first National Finals.
Two Utah bull riders, Steve Woolsey, of Payson, and former world champion Wesley Silcox, of Santaquin, are already positioned to qualify.
Woolsey is fourth in the world standings with earnings of $52,737. Silcox is sixth with $49,850 in the bank.
Atkinson is only $315 out of 15th place and $3,300 behind Jacob O'Mara, of Prairieville, La., who sits in 10th place.
"I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing and not worry too much about it," Aktinson said. "In the end, you don't have a lot of control over it. You enter the rodeos, do the best you can and see how everything works out."
luhm@sltrib.com —
Travis Atkinson file
Hometown • Lehi
Date of birth • May 25, 1985
Event • Bull riding
Height • 5-foot-4
Weight • 135 pounds
2011 earnings • $33,352
World standing • 17th —
Days of '47 Rodeo
Where • Maverik Center, West Valley City
When • Nightly (except Sunday) through July 25.
Time • 7 p.m.
Tickets • Call 801-988-8800
Prices • $5 to $47
Website • Daysof47.com
