story by Lily Weinacht
Eddie Parlier of Loxley, Ala., spurred his way to 2015 SPRA Year-End Saddle Bronc Riding Champion in January. It was the 27-year-old’s first time competing in the SPFR, qualifying after his first season in the association. He also won the average in the saddle bronc riding during the 2015 SRA finals, but even with those champion buckles shining on his belt, including IPRA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider in 2011, Eddie is ever striving to top his personal best.
He started rodeoing as a teen in his home state of Tennessee, introduced to the sport by his friend, Brian Tipton. Eddie’s interest in riding bulls led indirectly to rodeo’s classic event when his parents saw the size of bulls in the bull pen. “They suggested I do something else in rodeo, so I decided I’d ride saddle broncs,” Eddie recalls. “I did that until I turned 18, and then I got back into bulls, which started clicking for me. I won the All-Around for both those events in the SRA, and even did some team roping in the NCA, but now I just like riding bucking horses.”
Eddie – known as Sideburns among friends – names iconic saddle bronc rider and five-time World Champion, Billy Etbauer, as one of his heroes. He also recognizes his friend, Joey Sonnier, as one of his greatest inspirations. “Joey’s from Louisiana, and I met him through PCA rodeos. He quit riding saddle broncs for eight years, and now he’s back at 36, and he competed in The American this spring,” says Eddie. “He’s helped me a good bit.” Eddie and Joey travel together on occasion, while SPRA competitors like Justin Thigpen and Shelton Murphy might also be in the truck cab. “Everybody talks about the SPRA around here, so I bought my card last year,” Eddie explains. “With as much as they co-sanction with the IPRA, you’d be crazy not to, and they’re really good to me.”
Occasionally, Eddie’s wife, Amy, will travel with him to local rodeos as well. The couple, married in December of 2014, met at a PCA rodeo after Eddie moved to Loxley five years ago. Amy used to run barrels, but now focuses on ranch riding and showing horses in open shows and the AQHA. She and Eddie often have a few young horses they are training and selling. Eddie will start the horses roping on the dummy, while Amy introduces them to the barrel pattern. “We bought a three-year-old that was broke to ride but not finished by any means,” says Eddie. “Amy’s done all the work, and it’s a really nice horse now.” Amy works for a law firm, but when the husband and wife have a blank square on their calendar, they go to the beach, about 30 minutes away, or simply head out to the barn.
Although he has multiple titles to his name, including three consecutive reserve titles with the IPRA, and four year-end titles with the SRA, Eddie is always eager to continue challenging himself. “I had a good year in 2015, but it could always be better,” he says. He’s made the PRCA Southeastern Circuit Finals four times – currently sitting in the top ten of the circuit’s standings – and hopes to continue building his résumé. “I’d really like to make it to the NFR someday and keep going to circuit rodeos, and now that they have The American, I’d sure like to go there sometime. Going to rodeos is something I really enjoy doing, and it’s something I can halfway make a living at,” he says with a laugh. “I love what I do, and not too many people get to say that.”
