Zach Miessner, a 17-year-old junior at Missoula Hellgate, has become somewhat accomplished at staying on their backs for at least eight seconds, the time it takes to score a qualified ride.
Miessner won the long go-round of bull riding at the Bulls 'n Broncs event at the University of Montana rodeo for the past two years. In the process, he caught the eye of UM rodeo coach Kevin Nordahl, who would like Miessner to join his team.
But for now, Miessner is going to have to be content with a summer filled with Northern Rodeo Association and open rodeos around the state.
Q. When and how did you get started in rodeo?
A. My dad used to do it, so I always kind of wanted to do it. I started riding steers when I was about 9 and it kind of escalated from there.
Q. Do you remember getting on your first steer?
A. It was out at Frenchtown arena. My dad and a friend of the family ... were behind the chutes and told me a pretty funny story about that. A kid went out right before me and got his vest ripped. I guess my eyes were about five inches around. I didn't make it very long my first ride, but since then I've just wanted to do it.
Q. When did you graduate to bulls?
A. When the time was right.
Q. And how old were you?
A. Fourteen.
Q. Why did you choose bull riding?
A. The adrenaline. My dad used to do it. Everybody in my family has always been in rodeo.
Q. Tell me about the experience of getting on a bull for the first time.
A. It was amazing. I was getting ready and a guy ran a bull up through one chute and I was putting my rope on that one, a fairly good-sized bull. He was like, ‘That one's not yours.' So I looked at the next chute and I seen a monster. ... It was fun. I rode him for about four or five seconds and that was it.
Q. Can you remember the first time you made it to the whistle?
A. That was last year at the college rodeo.
Q. Tell me about that ride.
A. My dad always pulls my rope and gets me ready. I came out of the chutes and rode him as hard as I could. I think I got a 76. He was a pretty hard bucker, but I had to kick him a little bit to get him going harder because he stopped in the middle of it.
Q. Take me through your routine of getting prepared to ride a bull.
A. I bring my bull bag, tie my rope up on the gates, warm my rope up with resin and glycerine, kind of think to myself for a while, stay out of everyone's way and envision my ride. My dad gives me a few pointers of what I did wrong the last time so I know how to fix it. I kind of stretch out so I don't pull anything.
Q. Any superstitions?
A. My angel (a pin on his hat). It was my great grandpa Kirk's. It lost its wings, so it's riding with me instead of flying above me. I usually ride with a picture of him in my hat, too.
Q. Golfers have swing thoughts, like keep your head down. Do you have a checklist you go down when you get on your bull?
A. I'm not going to explain it how a guy explained it to me, but you pretty much sit on your hand, chest up, chin down, kind of like you're getting your crotch as close as you can to your hand, stay up on your rope, get off your pockets, stay on your thighs, keep your eyes on his head and stay off his head because it hurts when you break your nose.
Q. Have you had injuries?
A. Last summer I rode up at the Hot Springs rodeo and I drew one called Swamp Rat. I was maybe a second from riding him out when I went off his right side and when he turned, he kicked me in the head, knocked me out. Then he ran over me back and forth about three or four times. My dad came out and picked me up. I cracked my wind pipe, dislocated my jaw, broke a few ribs, dislocated my sternum from my collarbone.
Q. I suppose that didn't slow you down?
A. I was supposed to ride the next weekend, but (mom) wouldn't let me.
Q. Tell me about your best ride.
A. It was at last year's Helmville (NRA) Rodeo. It was a really hard bucker. I didn't ride him out, but it was my favorite. That was Stone Cold.
Q. How far do you want to pursue rodeo?
A. The PBR (Professional Bull Riders Tour).
Q. What will it take to realize that?
A. I don't know, but I'll find out soon enough.
Lightning round
Best rodeo you've been in? Helmville.
PBR or PRCA? PBR.
Wranglers or Levi's? Wranglers.
Stetson or Resistol? Stetson.
Favorite thing to do other than ride bulls? Elk hunting.
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