Professional Bull Rider Dalton Kasel Says Riding A Bull Is Simple – Up To A Point
WDHA listeners know what a HUGE fan of old western movies and TV shows I am. Dalton Kasel grew up on a ranch and has been around the western lifestyle his entire life. Now a professional bull rider, Dalton is in New York City this weekend as the Professional Bull Riders come to Madison Square Garden.
His job? Trying to stay on top of a rather angry bull that is determined to toss him around. Kasel says it’s actually simple…up to a point.
I think I will stick to radio. It seems safer.
JIM MONAGHAN – Professional Bull Riders return to Madison Square Garden this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It’s the first of three majors with the PBR Monster Energy Buck Off, and one of the participants is going to be my guest this morning. Dalton Castle from the Austin gamblers. Good morning and welcome.
DALTON KASEL – Good morning. How are you today?
JM – I’m good. You had a pretty strong 2023. Dalton, what are you looking forward most to in the new year 2024?
DK – I think just going each and every year you get better and better, and so hopefully it’ll be even better.
JM – I have heard that bull riding is the most dangerous 8 seconds in sport. How do you prepare for something like that? DK – It’s something I love, and so I don’t think of it that way. I know it is dangerous, and I am not scared. But you get a little nerve wrack whenever you’re riding a bull. But it’s something that I love so much that I just roll on with it.
JM – What’s the biggest part of your training? Is it mental or physical?
DK – It’s definitely mental. I think is at least 80% mental. It’s crazy how much a mental game it has on you. If you’re in the streak or if you’re not doing good, it’s going to weigh on you one way or the other, and it can curve really quick.
JM – Well, I’ve got a document here that says how to ride a bull, and it’s four easy steps.
DK – Hey, bull riding is simple. It is extremely simple. But that’s when the mental game comes in. It depends on how simple you want to actually make it.
JM – I’ve heard that great athletes are able to slow their sport down. When you’re on top of an animal, that’s what, 15 to 1800 pounds that literally wants no part of you being there, and it’s doing its level best to get you off, how do you slow those 8 seconds down?
DK – I think whenever you are on a streak and doing well, it seems really slow and easy. And then if you’re not, then everything seems fast and it’s really quick. So that’s part of your mental game. I think in all that, if you are able to realize, hey, this is simple four steps, then you can make it slow down, but it’s just getting your mind right.
JM – Well, again, professional bull riders returning to the garden this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Dalton Kasel will be there as part of the Austin Gamblers tickets and information online at pbr.com. Dalton, thanks for your time this morning, and best of luck to you this weekend.
DK – Yes, sir. I appreciate it. Thank you for having me.