By: Kelsie Star Akers
Tre Hosley is a 24 year old bareback rider and cattle roper from Compton, CA. He started riding at Bob’s Horses at 19 years old and has been riding for 5 years. He grew his skills at a 4 day school in south Texas. He then earned a college scholarship to rodeo at Wharton County Junior College where he is still currently attending.
Q. What made you decide to participate in such a challenging sport?
Tre: Well, before I had a desire for bareback horses, I was all about football. I was always in love with the physicality of playing defense. The idea of being aggressive and physical every play, and be praised for it, was awesome to me. So, when my interest in rodeo sparked, I knew I wanted to be a rough stock cowboy. It only felt right. I tried riding bulls, but something in me let me know it wasn’t the right fit for me. Bareback horses felt perfect from the first one I got on. I got to meet and become friends with Clint Cannon by attending his school. Cannon, who played college football, started riding bareback horses in his 20’s. He was hugely successful qualifying for multiple NFRs and becoming a reserve world champion. He won the PCRA Rookie of the Year. Cannon set a record for the most money won in a single rodeo event in one season. He let me know that I was gifted, and it was dang sure possible. Also, when I started riding bareback horses, I viewed it as a replacement for football with a better atmosphere. There are no teammates to blame. Also, knowing if I did great, no one could take credit for it even if I did terrible. Only I could own up and realize it was no one else’s fault but my own.
Q. What’s your drive?
Tre: I love this lifestyle. It is fun spurring a bad ass Bronc, all while getting paid it. I’m headed to do it all over again. Some things I keep in head when nights are long and checks are few. I want to be a good role model to my son and other young riders who lookup to me. I realize everything builds character, and it’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters. So, I do my best to lead by example. Also, I know that this sport is all about being able to endure more physically and mentally throughout the year then any of the other bareback riders. The goal is to be one of the last ones standing, and riding strong when others are weak and fatigued.
Q. If you could do everything over would you change anything? If yes what would you change?
Tre: Nothing. I believe everything happens for a reason. God has a plan for all of our lives. You have to fall in love with the process in order to achieve any major goal. I just look at my past struggles and hardships as lessons learned. There are steps in the process that I needed to go through in order to learn something. These things I’ll need at some point in order to get to where I want to be in life.
Q. Advice for future riders?
Tre: My advice to anyone learning or wanting to try riding bareback horses, or anything else in life. Attend a school or learn from someone who has been there and done exactly what you want to do. I feel like it advanced me much faster. I learned the correct way the first time instead of all of the guessing and thinking. You’re doing it right, but in reality, you’re just waisting time teaching yourself bad habits. One of my favorite quotes to live by has been, “expect the best, prepare for the worst, accept who have come and keep going forward.”
Tre Hosley is a humble, supportive and enthusiastic cowboy. He didn’t think twice about being a new bareback rider who made his riding debut in the Bill Pickett Rodeo on April 1st. He is working his way up in the ranks and definately isn’t taking his time. We expect to see him later in his career. Hopefully he will let us slip in a quick interview.