story by Kyle Eustice
Eighteen-year-old Preston Ogle currently resides in Des Moines, New Mexico, but was born in Raton, a mere 37 miles away. His father Vic, 45, who is a pick up man and has competed in rodeos for years, is a huge influence on his rodeo career.
“I grew up riding horses,” said Preston. “I have wanted to be a world champion saddle bronc rider my whole life.”
In 2008, the Des Moines High School student joined the National Little Britches Rodeo Association, the NMHSRA in 2015 and New Mexico Rodeo Association the same year.
“I wanted to join the NLBRA because of a good friend Randy Quartieri referring it to me,” explained Preston. “I had just started riding bulls and needed to find rodeos to get on good bulls. I joined the NMHSRA after my pastor Tilt James told me about it. I started riding broncs and Tilt told me that I rodeo good enough to go to the high school rodeos.”
At the present time, Preston rides saddle bronc horses and competes in the reined cow horse, as well. “My favorite event is the saddle bronc riding,” said Preston. “It’s my favorite because it is a classic, cowboy event of rodeo.”
His biggest accomplishments are being named the 2016 reserve state champion in saddle bronc riding and 2016 state champion in the reined cow horse.
“It felt awesome to accomplish it,” said Preston. “Everyone wants to be a champion, but if I had to lose to one person, it would be to my good friend Zane Munoz. I am currently leading the state of New Mexico High School Rodeo in saddle bronc and reined cow horse.”
Aside from rodeo, Preston plays basketball and enjoys riding young horses. In the future, he plans on attending Oklahoma Panhandle State University in the fall, but ultimately, he wants to make a living out of his rodeo career. During rodeo season, he goes to rodeo events every weekend, and spends ample time practicing throughout the week.
“I try to get on the spur board every night,” explained Preston. “I go to Goodwell, Oklahoma on Tuesdays to get on practice horses. If I do not have a rodeo over the weekend, I have a few practice horses that I get on at my house.”
Like many rodeo contestants, the feeling he gets when he’s competing is nearly indescribable and takes what he’s learned from his predecessors to heart.
“I love pushing myself to always be better and meeting a lot of good people,” said Preston. “The best advice I have gotten, as far as rodeo goes, is to have a short memory. If you fall off, forget it, and if you make a good ride, it only matters at one rodeo so move on. Also, ‘Hold your feet for two and let them fly.’”
Preston has two older sisters, Kendall, 21, and Madison, 19, three dogs—Stormy, Kylie and Happy—and his favorite horse is Dollar.
“He is always dependable to do whatever and in 2013, he won the Super Horse at the NLBRA Finals,” said Preston. “He’s definitely my favorite.”
