story by Siri Stevens
Wyatt serves as the bulldogging director for the WRA. “I like to help out and support the Association,” said the 16-year-old, from Harrisburg, Neb. “It helps with communication skills and it’s good to be part of the team and give back.”
Wyatt Reichenberg learned his bulldogging skills through high school rodeo, making Nationals as a sophomore. The Junior got his start through his parents, Holly and Bo. Holly competed in barrels and poles, goat tying, and breakaway; her extended family all rodeoed as well. She helped the Wyoming Rodeo Association by serving as secretary last year. Wyatt’s great grandpa on his dad’s side was a PRCA announcer, Art Daly. Wyatt perfected his talent by attending Paul Cleveland and Dru Melvin’s school, starting with chute dogging in his 7th grade year. He is also good family friends with Dean Gorsuch and gets advice from him as well.
Wyatt has been wrestling for seven years, which helps keep him in shape for steer wrestling. He is very competitive and strives to win. He made the trip to Sin City to compete at the Junior World Finals, where he moved up from 28th to 18th in his first year. “It was hectic at first,” he said about Vegas. “There was a lot going on – lots of lights.” His parents just kept reminding him to bulldog like he knew how. “You just have to block out everything else and compete.”
“I want to compete to the best of my abilities. I want to be able to compete with others that are the best.” His parents inspire him. “They support me anyway they can.” He has a little brother, Wilbur, who wants to ride broncs. Wyatt has always had a rope in his hand and has started team roping two years ago.
Wyatt plans to go to college but is undecided where. “I want to rodeo for a bit and see other places and see how I like it. The sport of rodeo doesn’t want you; you have to want the sport of rodeo. It’s a very tough sport. Everybody has to fight for their spot at the top in every event. My dad tells me that I have until I get out of the arena to think about my last run, and that’s it. I can’t dwell on bad runs.”
He lost his grandpa (Brad Cross) in 2015 to a tractor accident. Brad drove wagons in the parade for Cheyenne Frontier Days for more than 20 years and Wyatt would go with him. They were best buds and Wyatt spent a lot of time with him. “He raised the mare that I’m riding now, and I team rope on another one he raised.”
He is grateful for his family and friends. “My mom would help me with anything. She advises me to the best of her abilities on what I can do to better myself.” His advice to others is to stick with it. “At first, it’s not going to go right. It takes a lot of practice to get it right.”
