05/21/2023
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By: Alexis Kimzey
He was raised in West Texas by two schoolteachers. They were not a rodeo family, but Dalton Kasel ended up exactly where he was meant to be. A husband, a father, and the number three man in the world for the 2023 PBR World Finals "Growing up, my dad and I would be watching football games on TV, and then bull riding would come on, and it was just something that caught my eye. I told myself I wanted to do that, and I begged my parents for a chance to ride. "When I was 13, I went to a bull riding school, and ever since then, I wanted to be riding." Though he had the drive, he was still missing the fundamentals. That is when Dalton showed up on stock contractor Riley Samford's doorstep. "He kind of took me under his wing when I was in college, and he helped build my confidence. He made me confident just by telling me that, you know, I am good enough to be the best. He's one of my best friends, and he's just kind of pushed me along through it my whole career."
Fast forward to 2019, Dalton went to several touring pros; he was unaware if he was going to make it, but by the end of the season, he made it on tour and ended up placing in the Top 10 in the World, along with being Rookie of the Year. "I donβt really look at anything as a challenge; I trust in the Lord and His plan, and I believe that if there is a will, there is a way."
Though he has the record for the most 90-point rides in a single season, Dalton still says he feels like an underdog some days. "I want to be remembered as somebody who didnβt have it easy but made the most of it. Whenever things are rough, I believe that I can just let the Lord shine on me and all that I do. I want to be remembered as someone who, no matter what happened, was always positive."
Dalton will ride today for a chance to win the coveted title of 2023 PBR World Champion.