by Hailey Dixon, WSRRA
Media Coordinator
Canadian cowboy and 2017 WSRRA World Champion Ranch Bronc Rider, Aaron Mercer, sat down with me and gave me a glimpse into his rodeo career and daily life. Aaron lives and works in Rimby Alberta. He stays busy training horses and working on the farm. He grew up all over Alberta and was not raised in the cowboy lifestyle. Aaron started working horses at age 16 and fell in love with the new way of life.
In 2015, he received a phone a call that would change the course of the next few years. “ Travis Jordan (pick up man) gave me a shout and told me that if I came and rode stock saddle and did good, I could potentially ride for the finals and be a world champion.” Aaron recalled. And as he said many times in our interview, “You betcha!” and he packed up that weekend and headed to his first WSRRA sanctioned ranch bronc riding.
Aaron explains riding a bronc as “exciting, you just gotta lean back and hold on. Every ride is different but it is always fun.” His favorite part of traveling and competing, aside from winning money, is getting to see old and new friends. “When you travel all summer and see these guys all over, you build some great relationships with them and everyone helps each other,” he explains.
Traveling all summer can be hard to keep a schedule; Aaron keeps in shape and riding ready by simply working on the farm and doing his job. The daily life of training horses and farm work keep him moving and in shape, but Aaron also tries to run as much as possible and use his spur board or bucking machine often.
Last year Aaron tried to hit as many WSRRA sanctioned rodeos as possible and didn’t get as many as he wanted but he had enough to qualify for the finals in Winnemucca! His favorite bronc of the year was his ride on one of Gene King’s horses at the finals, he scored 87.5 on her and said she was just fun to ride!
Aaron is a fun loving guy and doesn’t head to the next one with out a few necessities: beer, riggin bag, saddle, entry fee money, and clean clothes, just in case he finds a pretty young thing! He encourages anyone that is considering trying ranch bronc riding to give it a try, there is so much support, just reach out!
In the 2018 season Aaron will still be hitting up some WSRRA sanctioned events but his main focus this year will be to travel and compete in saddle bronc and try to make the Canadian Finals and win a title there as well.
On behalf of the WSRRA, congratulations Aaron!
