For Love of Country and Rodeo
This rodeo association makes it possible for military men and women to compete in the sport they love while serving the country they love.
Arodeo association created by military members for military members is making it possible for those who serve to compete in the sport despite the challenges of military life. In 2000, the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association (PAFRA) was formed by three Air Force master sergeants and a retired Army sergeant major who shared a dream: create an association that would offer servicemembers and veterans the opportunity to rodeo while maintaining the high standards and camaraderie found in the military.
Nearly two decades later, PAFRA is doing just that, making rodeo accessible for military members and their families despite the hurdles of non-traditional schedules, deployment, and being stationed overseas. This is possible thanks to a unique partnership between PAFRA and several other rodeo associations that allows PAFRA members to compete through rodeo circuits around the world.
“That’s those associations saying thank you to our men and women who serve and just being good rodeo partners,” says PAFRA president James Hastings. Recognizing that a servicemember’s first commitment is to their
country and not the rodeo road, he explains that “it’s tough in this day and age to wear both a uniform and a cowboy hat, with any consistency on that cowboy hat.” PAFRA, however, is making that dual dream a reality, allowing military cowboys and cowgirls to pursue their passion all the way to the PAFRA World Championship Rodeo.
Every PAFRA World Championship Rodeo—most recently hosted in Topeka, Kansas—opens with a ceremony that honors those who are unable to attend. Athletes enter the arena wearing the official PAFRA R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) shirt as a symbol of their unity. Once the contestants are lined up in the arena, the Fort Riley Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard performs the flag ceremony, representing the American flag and the flags for each branch of the armed forces.
The pride and reverence in the arena are palpable as the fallen warrior memorial prayer begins. All non-mounted participants stand at attention and remove their headwear as a riderless horse is led into the arena fully tacked up, a flag draped across the saddle and boots turned backward in the stirrups. The competitors take a knee as the announcer describes how the riderless horse symbolizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. The ceremony concludes with the national anthem, during which the competitors stand and salute.
“The opening ceremony recognizes the ones riding and competing, but we put a big emphasis on those who are unable to be attend,” says Hastings, alluding to those who are currently deployed, as well as those who lost their lives in service to their country.
Although the contestants are there to compete for championship titles, the atmosphere of the rodeo is far from cutthroat.
“When we’re all together [at the PAFRA Championships], it’s like the coolest family reunion you’ve ever been to. People who only see each other once a year, you’d think that they live next door to each other,” says Hastings.
Contestants swap gear, horses, and encouragement throughout the event.
“The barrel racer in the number one spot will be cheering just as loud for every girl that runs as she expects to be cheered for,” Hastings says. “Everybody is happy for each other, and I think it really sets us apart.
The brotherhood and the sisterhood of being warriors really changes the tone—it’s genuine.”
This camaraderie isn’t limited to the Championship. PAFRA members pitch in to help each other in any way they can, whether that means lending their equipment, hauling horses cross-country, or buying hay for a member who has fallen on hard times.
“I think one of the coolest benefits of being a member of PAFRA is things that we do internally for each other,” says Hastings. “We watch out for each other, and we check in on each other on a regular basis.”
Military life means frequent moves, deployments, and hectic work schedules that can make it nearly impossible to compete in rodeo, even recreationally. A membership in the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association not only makes it possible for military members and their families to continue competing in the sport they love but provides a support group that will be there for them regardless of where they’re stationed.
“We do everything we can to help facilitate folks being able to rodeo,” says Hastings. “We are absolutely here to help out our military, veterans, and their families.”