Local man participates in Armed Forces rodeo

GLEN ROSE, TEXAS – Bucking broncos, eight second rides, racing horses around barrels. These are just some of the things found at a rodeo, but during the 2010 Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association World Finals there was another element involved.

The son of a Russellville woman competed alongside more than 40 service members, retirees, honorably discharged veterans and dependents during the 10th annual 2010 Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association World Finals.

Army Staff Sgt. Rustin B. Nobinger, son of Wanda McCalpin of Scenic Drive, Russellville, competed in the bull riding, chute dogging and team roping events of the rodeo.

The 15 PAFRA members with the highest scores at the end of the season in their respective event were eligible to compete in the world finals, which ranged from team roping to chute dogging.

“I am the newly elected chute dogging director. This is my second year as a PAFRA member,” said Nobinger. “I am a bull rider, a team roper and a chute dogger.”

Every service member, retiree, military dependent, Defense Department civilian or veteran, who was honorably discharged, is eligible to join PAFRA.

“I am stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga., and currently deployed on my third tour to Iraq as an electronic warfare officer,” said Nobinger.

Each competitor put countless hours practicing and participating in rodeos throughout the world to qualify for the world finals.

“I workout every day and ride practice bulls whenever possible to work on small problems,” Nobinger said.

Many of the PAFRA cowboys and cowgirls have been involved with rodeos most of their lives.

“I grew up around rodeo, and one day I just decided I was going to ride a bull with my buddies. As soon as the gate opened I never stopped,” said Nobinger.