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Photo courtesy Austin Richardson
Austin Richardson started riding when he was 12 years old
Austin Richardson was still a young man when he realized his life was going to be bumpy.
And that’s fine with him if he makes his way in the world of professional bull riding.
“Guilherme Marchi (2008 Professional Bull Riders World Champion and Austin’s hero) was the neighbor of a friend of mine, and we’d hang out with him whenever we could when we were kids,” he recalls. “When I was around 12, a group of friends rode oxen at the BuckOut at Cowboy Church in Waxahachie. I went with them and got in and have been driving ever since. “
Now at the age of 21, Richardson ranks 22nd in the world in the PBR rankings. He has a dozen top 10 finishes, including half a dozen top five. He started this season with eight top 5 placements and 12 top 10 placements.
“I love the cowboy life and everything about it,” says Richardson, who moved to Stephenville for a while but is now back on the family farm in Wilmer.
A love of speed
Richardson grew up on the farm, which his family has owned since 1876, so horses and cattle have always surrounded him. His great-grandfather rode the Hella Temple Black Horse Patrol, and his sister Kristin is a barrel racer who is about to be a freshman at Northeast Texas Community College and will compete in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
In addition to the activities that interested him in bull riding, Richardson took part in mutton bustin ‘at Cowboy Church, Mesquite, and the Texas Stampede at the American Airlines Center. Although it didn’t prepare him for bull riding, it was fun and it was rodeo and he loved it.
Richardson tried other sports and had some success. He played basketball and baseball in school and drove motocross for several years.
“I won a few local championships and loved the thrill and speed of the track,” he said.
But it was nothing like the excitement he feels every time he mounts a bull and competes.
“Yes, there is a thrill when I get off the slide, but I train to be calm and controlled and not let the adrenaline rush bother me,” he said.
“Yes, there is some danger, but I can’t think of that while riding. Focusing on the ride is all I have to focus on. I had a few bumps and bruises along the way, but nothing serious. “
On the way to becoming a pro, Richardson rode in several youth rodeo organizations (Young Bull Riders World Finals Reserve Champion 2014 and Lone Star Youth Rodeo Association Junior Bull Rider Champion 2015). He was also the 2017 Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Rookie of the Year, but his dream was to race in the PBR.
In 2019 he did well at the Velocity Finals and won a place at the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas.
“Talk about living the dream!” He exclaimed. “Some of the goals I’ve set are (PBR) Rookie of the Year, PBR World Champion, start my own business, have my own ranch and travel the world.”
When he’s not competing, his hobbies include golf, cycling, and dirt bikes.
And he doesn’t hesitate to say thank you for his success and his bright future.
“I am very grateful for my family’s support and I would also like to thank God, because I can only do this with his blessings, strength and protection,” he said. “I have strong faith and realize that ‘I am what it says to be,’ Matthew 16: 13-18.”
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