Greybull’s Patterson earns berth in Youth Bull Rider World Finals

Injuries have tested his resolve, but Braxton Patterson of Greybull remains committed to his goal of becoming a world champion bull rider.
The 17-year-old son of Brett and Bridgett Patterson, who has suffered a broken arm, a broken femur and three concussions, will get the chance of a lifetime later this summer when he competes at the Wrangler Youth Bull Rider World Finals in Abilene, Texas.
Patterson says riding bulls has been his passion since the age of 4. He credited his mother and her rodeo friends for introducing him to the sport.  He estimates that he’s attended about 100 rodeos, saying he rides for the thrill.
He’s on quite a run, too.  Last year, Patterson was the Big Horn Rodeo Circuit’s junior bull riding champion and the West Yellowstone Rodeo reserve champion bull rider.  
In the fall, he attended the At the Foot of the Cross Ministry, a rodeo Bible camp where he learned about bull riding and grew in his relationship with God, which led to his baptism.  It was at this event that he qualified for the Youth Bull Rider World Finals, set for July 30-Aug. 3.
This summer, Paxton intends to improve his riding skills at schools in Montana and Wyoming, vie for another youth bull riding title in Big Horn Rodeo Circuit and line up sponsors to help with fuel and entry fees for his trip to Abilene.
Patterson will be a senior next fall at Greybull High School, where he wrestles and is vice president of the FFA.
If you’d like to contribute, he can be reached at 307-409-3379.