Billy Etbauer - 5X World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider

Billy Etbauer grew up in a rodeo family where competition wasn’t just encouraged—it 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 Latham—often called the “fourth Etbauer”—they 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 matched—qualifying for the NFR 21 consecutive years and winning an incredible 51 rounds, a record for saddle bronc riding’s 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 41—making 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 Billy’s 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

Our Express Ranches family is truly family far beyond the rodeo arena. We help each other through everything!

I’m so grateful all the Wright Brothers & their entire family trusted our suggestion to see what a gift this phototherapy patch is for everyone’s everything…shown here on Stetson at Rodeo Houston. Let the Etbauer & Wright family help you get yours today!

Listen to the legends wild tale!

5X Billy Etbauer X39

What a champion, and we also have @billy_etbauer on the podcast as well 🤣 jk, great conversation with the humble legend and the standard of saddle bronc riding! Go listen now wherever you tune into podcasts

Full podcast on Dales story!

NOBODY LIT UP THE HOUSE LIKE BILLY DID
This Billy Etbauer photo was taken by us at the Rustic Rose Wedding & Event Barn in Guthrie, Oklahoma on November 25, 2024 where we did another in-depth interview with this five-time bronc riding world champion.
And that interview reminded us again of what a humble and classy champion he is. Plus it was so fun to relive his NFR record 93-point ride on Kesler Championship Rodeo’s Cool Alley in 2003, which he tied a year later with a 10th-round ride on the same horse that clinched the last of his five gold buckles and made him – at 41 years, 11 months – the oldest rough stock world champion in rodeo history.
Of course, Billy won a record 51 rounds at the NFR and nobody lit up the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas better than he did. And every year, during the NFR, there is probably nobody in that house that doesn't think about Billy and his amazing career.

PHOTO: Wild Rides
DATE: PRORODEO HALL OF FAME

Tune in for live interview. https://m.youtube.com/

Get ready to Spur On with Billy Etbauer, the most legendary saddle bronc rider in the history of professional rodeo!

Did you know 20 years later he still holds the NFR record on Cool Alley with the highest marked rides of 93 points?!

That’s EXtremely LEGENDARY.