story by Lily Weinacht
Dalton McCaslin concluded his senior year in the WHSRA as the 2019 state bull riding champion. “I knew I had to show up and do my job, but I was very confident going in to state finals,” says the 17-year-old from Grover, Wyoming. “I didn’t actually know I’d won until after the rodeo when we went to the banquet.” This will also be Dalton’s first time competing at the NHSFR, and he’s looking forward to experiencing it with a number of his friends who also qualified for Nationals. “I plan to just support my friends and anybody who needs help.”
Dalton started competing when he was 11, taking up mini bull riding after watching his dad ride bulls. He’s always gravitated towards roughstock, but also enjoys riding his horse. “What motivates me is how enjoyable rodeo is, and getting to meet new people, and to see what you’re matched up against. I can show up at a rodeo and not even know what I’m getting on—I could be getting on something that’s PBR caliber and it’ll be enjoyable for me.”
Throughout all four years of high school rodeoing in the WHSRA, Dalton has traveled with his parents, Derrick and Mandi McCaslin, and his younger siblings, Xander, Kezlee, and Cloey, have also supported him. “Whatever they choose to do, I’ll be there to support them,” says Dalton. “My parents have stood behind me a lot and I’m thankful that they have. My dad’s definitely helped me out a lot, and I’ve also talked to professional athletes a lot too, like Bobby Welsh and Cody Custer. Cody Custer was in Jackson two years ago when I was still competing in mini bulls and I got some pretty good advice from him. Bobby Welsh has been around the Wyoming high school rodeos a lot, and if I have any problems, I ask him if my dad’s not around. The best advice I’ve gotten is that champions aren’t born, they’re made. So every day I work on myself and keep going at it. I don’t own practice bulls, so every day of the week I’m getting on my stationary barrel and practicing my moves. Vance Avery and his family have also helped me out so much with my bull riding—I use their practice bulls.”
Dalton’s family videos his rides for him, and he spends time watching his own videos and comparing them to those of professional bull riders JB Mauney and Derek Kobalba. “I watch their form and how they move,” says Dalton. “I’m always trying to learn new techniques and better myself every day.” He took second place at the Lane Frost Challenge in Vernal, Utah, this January, taking home $4,000. This fall, he’s also competing on the Laramie County Community College rodeo team. “I’m studying welding technology. It’s a two-year degree, and after I retire from rodeo, I’m definitely going to put my welding skills to use and build whatever I can to help people.”
In between working out and rodeoing, Dalton also enjoys hunting with his dad and uncle during hunting season. He likes bowling as well, and his parents, who are professional bowlers, competed in Las Vegas in June at a United States Bowling Congress championship. While Dalton wants to take his bull riding to the professional level soon, he plans to wait until the first of next year since he turns 18 in July. “My upcoming goal now is to win Nationals, and my long-term goal, whether in the PRCA or the PBR, is to be a world champion.”
