By Magie Downares-Nevius
Paying his dues after a decade of Colorado Pro Rodeo Association bucking horses, Nathan Oetter, declared a victory on one of his long-term ambitions and was crowned the 2015 Saddle Bronc Riding Champion by pocketing nearly $10,000 in season earnings. “It was by far the best year that I have ever had. I just buckled down and gave it my best,” Nathan said.
Although Nathan suffered a dislocated shoulder toward the end of the season, he was able to keep his exceptional lead in the standings. The finals put Nathan’s abilities to the test as he struggled with his damaged riding arm, which caused him to buck-off in the first two go-rounds. “At that point, I took a leap of faith and switched arms, which is something that I had never done before. In bronc riding, switching hands is like throwing a baseball with your left hand, it’s really awkward,” he said. Nathan turned in a 75-point ride for a third-round win and took the standings by $6,700 over his closest competitor.
The Cinderella story all began with an unusually late start in the event. At 21 years old, Nathan decided that he would give a pull at the hack rein. “I actually bought my first bronc saddle at 18 years old, but I was too timid and couldn’t get myself going. Finally, I had a dream one night and when I woke up, I got myself entered in the next Snowmass Rodeo. My first horse I ever got on, I didn’t know anything about rein measurement or how to adjust my saddle, I just climbed on and whatever happened, happened and I never looked back,” Nathan said for the first time out loud. Since his initial bronc in 2001, the 35-year-old cowboy has progressed to a five-time Snowmass Rodeo series champion. By 2003, Nathan bought his PRCA permit and later joined the CPRA in 2005, where he qualified for his first finals in 2007. “I got a late start in life and my family didn’t rodeo, so it was all a world unknown to me, and at times, was tough to adapt to,” Nathan admitted. “I remember being bullied as a kid and always being afraid. When I first started riding, I was deathly afraid and all I could do was ask the Lord’s help to climb on. But, I knew if I could conquer this fear, I could conquer anything and even that bully. Riding broncs is a challenge and I am still learning, but I love it. It’s those good rides that make it all worth it.”
Growing up in Phoenix, Ariz., Nathan discovered his other passion as a blacksmith and he continues to enter blacksmith competitions and builds a lot of his own horse shoes. Doubling as a farrier, a blacksmith and a spur maker in his business Oetter Iron Works and Oetter Horse Shoeing, Nathan obtained the highest level of certification through the American Farrier’s Association and is a Certified Journeyman Farrier. His multiple talents direct him to relocate throughout the season, where Nathan spends his winters in Phoenix, but returns to Carbondale, Colo., in the summers. “I was working for an outfitter, which originally brought me out here 15 years ago,” he said.
In the offseason, Nathan has set his focus on rehabilitating his shoulder. “I am a habitual Cross Fitter and am currently in physical therapy,” Nathan said.
With full intentions of returning next year, Nathan says that he will be dabbling between the CPRA and making the Mountain States Circuit Finals.
