A Walk Down the Dirt Road with: Paige Stout

Hello everyone I have had some interest lately in doing a guest post section in my blog and I think it's a wonderful idea. I have enjoyed doing the few guest posts that I have done and thought it might be kind of fun working with the other bloggers and guests.

 

So for my first guest post or "A Walk Down the Dirt Road with" segment I decided to start of pretty big! This weeks guest blogger is Paige Stout, who currently is a stock contractor for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders). She is very much involved in the Ag industry, very passionate about her faith, and plans on becoming a nurse. So I'm sure you will all enjoy reading about her.

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Tell us some background info on yourself: I am 18 years old. I have grown up and continue to reside in Weatherford, TX. I graduated high school a year early in 2012 in order to be on the road hauling bulls more. Following graduation I enrolled in Weatherford College and began working on my pre-requisites to get into nursing school. I recently got the news that I was accepted into RN school; therefore I will start nursing school this August where I plan on working towards my RN license and Bachelor’s degree in nursing.

What made you want to get into raising bucking bulls? I was raised at rodeos with my dad being a bullfighter for the Texas High School Association in West Texas. After many years of fighting bulls, my dad decided to begin raising and breeding bucking bulls. At the age of 10 I decided I wanted to purchase a bucking bull of my very own. The first bull I ever bought, All or Nothin’, I hauled and competed in many youth futurities with. I eventually sold him as a 4 year old and he went on to make his debut on the PBR tour.

Has it been hard as a women going into a field dominated by men? I began making my appearance in the bull riding industry at such a young age that I grew up with a lot of these guys. I have never thought twice about being a female in a male dominated industry because I’ve been a part of it for awhile now, it’s all I’ve ever known.  These guys just got used to seeing me everywhere and have done an excellent job of making me feel comfortable and included.

 

Who has helped you out most? My dad has been the most influence and guidance for me. He has taught me just about everything I know about the bulls and how to care for them. Bob Tallman is also someone that has supported me. Since I first started out and even today he continues to support me every step of the way.

What have been some of your biggest achievements? I have won Reserve Champion in 2009 at the National Bucking Bull Association World Finals, 2012 Youth Futurity Champion at the National Bucking Bull Association Bull Bash, and 2012 Junior World Champion at the American Bucking Bull Incorporated World Finals in Las Vegas. 2013 has held my biggest achievement yet by becoming a PBR stock contractor and hauling on tour.

What have been some struggles? The biggest struggle in the bucking bull industry is finding the quality of bulls needed to make it to the PBR level. A person can go through hundreds and thousands of bulls before they come across just one that is the right quality. It is like trying to find a diamond in the haystack. There are so many great bucking bulls out there; however the competition is so tough that you have to find the best of the best bulls to bring to these events.

 Photo Credit: Andy Watson- Bull Stock Media

 

What are your future plans for yourself/your business? My goal for 2013 is to have bulls at the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas. I plan on continuing to raise bucking bulls and haul on tour for a very long time. This is something I have worked my whole life for so it’s not something that I take for granted.

Talk about how important your faith has been throughout your life. My faith is the only reason for where I am at today. I love being on the road and hauling bulls, I’m living my dream and I’m more than blessed. However, I am in the position I am to spread God’s word with as many people as I can and glorify Him in all that I do. My faith has helped me get past all the challenges which have lead to my success today.

Are there many opportunities for women to get involved with bucking bulls? There are many opportunities for women to get involved in the bucking bull industry. Many all women futurities are now being held to help promote women getting involved.

 Photo Credit: Andy Watson- Bull Stock Media

What is it like being on the road traveling to different states and events? I love being on the road and getting to see the country while also doing what I love, hauling bulls. It’s a lot of fun seeing and exploring different places and meeting new people.

 

What has been your favorite event to go to so far? So far my favorite events have been Las Vegas and Albuquerque, NM. Both of these events were full of some of the best PBR fans. The excitement and noise the fans brought to these events was crazy, they were a blast!

What advice would you give to anyone looking to go into the bucking bull industry? Never give up! I can say from experience that there are going to be ups and downs, but I promise in the end it will all be worth it.

 

 Photo Credit: Andy Watson- Bull Stock Media

How do you name your bulls? I have a list of bull names on my phone that I started when I was a young. I think of names at the most random times, whether I’m singing a song or in the middle of a conversation. As soon as I think of a name I’ll write it down. My bulls have to earn their names though. Once they earn it I fit names to the bull’s personality.

Do you have a favorite bull? I do not have a favorite bull. All of my bulls are special to me; I spoil them and take care of them as if they were my kids. Every bull is unique in their personalities and character.

 

Thank You Paige for taking the time to share with all of us it is greatly appreciated!

You can keep up with Paige and her bulls via:

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/paigestout.buckingbulls?fref=ts

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/stoutpaige

               https://twitter.com/JackWagonPBR

Website: http://www.stoutbuckingbulls.com/#

 

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If you would be interested in doing a guest post I would love to have you on! Just shoot me an email at diariesfromthedirtroad@gmail.com