Rodeo is a family affair when talking about the etbauers.

Posted by John Smith on October 16th, 2018

I have often thought that mothers are the unsung heroes of the rodeo arena. A number of them credit their dads when we ask contestants they obtained their start in rodeo. Some have mothers that competed, but far less than the ones following in the footsteps of their father.

Blu Bryant, the 1998 reserve world champion bull rider, told me his mother drove him around the nation and went behind the chutes and pulled his bull rope when he was beginning. I have heard similar stories about Lisa Frost, mom to Josh Frost and present rodeo athletes Joe.

There are far more similar stories on the market. What I think makes mothers heroes is all of the service they supply. So gain more knowledge and I chose to speak to the Etbauer household.
Beverly Etbauer is mother to saddle bronc riders Robert, Billy and Dan Etbauer. Lyle, Her husband, also have a daughter, Wanda, who is second youngest -- between Billy and Dan. History was made by the Etbauers in 1989 when all three brothers qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Get NFR Live broadcast on Online.

For eight decades, the trio must represent their native state of South Dakota in the grand entrance, get off of these horses and come back to the locker area and combine another saddle bronc riders for the competition.
In careers that span over 20 years, they've seven world titles and 42 NFR qualifications between them. He left his first 12 NFR appearances. That year he had been joined by Dan, who qualified a total of 10 times. Once they put the record for 3 brothers qualifying for the NFR with Billy's initial of 21 trips to Las Vegas the next year, 1989, was. Dan also made an appearance in 2008 as a man.

Throughout all of the contest, Beverly and Lyle cheered on their sons from the chairs in the Thomas and Mack Center. There was 1 time that any of the boys got hurt and missed any of the action. This was 2002 when Billy was outside for the previous seven rounds. She did what she had done for each their lives and had faith in their abilities -- said a lot of prayers.
"It was fantastic, a very exciting time in our lives," she said. "I couldn't need one to beat another. They were competing against the horse.
I was there riding with them and saw each ride. It was an awesome experience."

Lyle Etbauer did a roping when the children were small. Rodeo was a family affair and if they moved, it had been as a household. Billy could not recall a rodeo that they moved to until after Robert obtained his driver's license.

Growing up in rural South Dakota, the 3 boys spent most of the free time horseback. In summer time, they utilized a team of draft horses to pull horses as well as a bobsled around and sleds. Reins and principles were part of their regular lives, although it may not have been a horse rein in their palms.

"I believe mom just tried to keep us out of the home," Billy said with a laugh. "And she just shut her eyes for the remainder of exactly what went on. We did not have a lot but we had exactly what we had." What started as a part-time job for the winter turned into a method to encourage his loved ones and he never left. Robert was a sophomore in high school.

Beverly spent some time between the two places and the children's responsible natures took over. Robert took over ranch duties, Wanda took care of the home and Billy and Dan pitched in where needed. There were few squabbles and Lyle and Wanda had confidence in their own children's work ethic and ability.

"They always had their actions to do," Beverly said of their kids. "And I knew that they would have them completed. Robert had the idea before you feed yourself that you feed your animals. They did not have a lot of time to get into mischief and it didn't hurt them ."

Robert was the first to take off on the rodeo trail and initially traveled with Deke Latham who qualified for the 1986 NFR and finished fifth at the saddle bronc riding until he was in a fatal auto accident.

Robert lost his friend and travel companion and it took him some time to pick up the bits. After he set them back his brothers and eventually Deke's brother Craig were chasing their dreams together. Craig became his mum Joyce Reclusa and an adopted member of the Etbauer family considers the Etbauers all her family too. Craig is the head coach at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell and Robert is the assistant coach. That is where these two along with Dan went into college. Dan still resides in the area and Billy and his family have been in Edmond, Okla..

Once the boys took off rodeoing by themselves, Beverly would anxiously wait for their return regardless of the mountains of laundry, additional cooking and more housework. But the work was together far outweighed by the joy of owning her household. And then before she knew it, she sent them off again. "There is not anything else you can do. Hopefully you raised them to be accountable and they know. All you can do is thank the guy upstairs that everything went well. I still pray for them every day."

The next generation of Etbuaers are currently competing due to the positive influences of the family. Robert's oldest son, Trell, is a five-time Linderman award winner. His son Shade is headed for his College National Finals Rodeo this month competing for Dan's alma mater and Robert. And, Lyle and Beverly will be spending time together with their son and cheering on him.
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We never in a million years dreamed that things could have turned out the way that they did," Beverly said. "When they were little if you'd have told me that I would be doing what I was doing, I would have never believed it."
While the accomplishments in the arena have piled up for the household, what might be most important is that the legacy they have outside of the arena. Robert and Billy have been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. All three brothers are in the Rodeo Hall of Fame.

"They have all only done beautiful," Beverly said of her four children. Beverly and Lyle have nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. "They are all so busy now. I just wish they'd all appear at once so that I really could do their laundry."

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John Smith

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John Smith
Joined: October 14th, 2018
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