03/16/2026
Billy Etbauer grew up in a rodeo family where competition wasnโt just encouragedโit was expected.
Born January 15, 1963, in Huron, South Dakota, Billy and his brothers Robert and Dan spent their youth traveling the rodeo road together. Alongside close friend Craig Lathamโoften called the โfourth Etbauerโโthey formed one of the most remarkable groups of saddle bronc riders the sport had ever seen. But Billy quickly carved out a legend of his own.
He joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and in just his second season qualified for the National Finals Rodeo. From there, he began a run of consistency few riders have ever matchedโqualifying for the NFR 21 consecutive years and winning an incredible 51 rounds, a record for saddle bronc ridingโs biggest stage.
Etbauer captured five world championships in saddle bronc riding (1992, 1996, 1999, 2000, and 2004), earning a reputation as one of the smoothest and most relentless riders of his generation.
One of his most memorable moments came in 2003 when he scored 93 points aboard the legendary bronc Cool Alley, setting an NFR record at the time. A year later he matched that mark on the same horse to claim his fifth world title at age 41โmaking him the oldest roughstock world champion in PRCA history.
Over the course of his career, Etbauer became the first cowboy to surpass $3 million in earnings in a single event, finishing with more than $3 million in career winnings.
Yet Billyโs story is also part of a larger family legacy. Between the Etbauer brothers and their close friend Latham, the group amassed 52 National Finals Rodeo qualifications, dominating saddle bronc riding through the 1990s.
In recognition of his remarkable career, Billy Etbauer was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2012.
Today, he and his wife Hollie make their home in Edmond, Oklahoma, raising Quarter Horses and continuing a life shaped by rodeo. A life built one ride at a time.
SOURCE: WILD RIDES INTERVIEW/EPISODE
SOURCE: PRORODEO HALL OF FAME
PHOTO: WILD RIDES EPISODE SCREENSHOT
