Peyton Olivier excels in Arkansas rodeo ring

Bull riding is his life.
Peyton Olivier, a former Eunice resident, is entering high school this fall and will compete in the Arkansas High School Rodeo Association.
He is the grandson of Diane Olivier of Eunice and the late James Pat Olivier.
He is also the grandson of Delores Dubois of Eunice and Glenda Dubois of Duson and the late Lee Dubois.
Olivier start rodeoing at 4 when he lived in Louisiana.
The family moved to Alma, Ark. when he was 6 and he had already won his first buckle in 2004 at the RR Youth Rodeo Assn. in Stonewall.
After several years away from the sport, Olivier returned to bullriding last year.
“I wanted to do was to get back on bulls,” he said. “I was very heavy, but was determined to do whatever it took.”
Olivier said he worked hard to gain the opportunity to compete on the National Level for Arklahoma Little Britches.
“Last January, I made the commitment that I would do whatever it took to be the best bull rider, I could be,” he continued. “I started eating right and exercising. I have lost 65 pounds in 12 months.”
Along with being ranked 23rd in World in Little Britches, his rodeo achievements include:
Free Range Cowboy Church Rodeo Assn. Spring 2013 - 3rd overall (Jr. Bulls)
FRCCRA (Free Range Cowboy Church Rodeo Assn.) Fall 2013 - 4th overall (Jr. Bulls)
Ozark Jr. Rodeo Assn. Member 2014 - Still Competing (Sr. Bulls)
OJRA (Jr. Bulls)
River Valley Youth Rodeo Assn. Spring 2014 - 1st (Sr. Bulls)
National Championship Bull Riding Semi-Pro Bulls (Youngest to compete at the age of 13)
Arklahoma Little Britches Rodeo Assn. 2013 - 2014 3rd (Jr. Bulls)

His return to the rodeo hasn’t been without its challenges.
In a Memorial Day weekend rodeo, Olivier needed one more cover to qualify for Nationals in Pueblo, Colorado.
But riding the second bull on the second run on Saturday, his spur got caught up in his rope, twisted his legs around and the bull stomped them.
“My left spur crossed over my right leg and went in it,” he said. “I went to the emergency room, praying the entire way there my leg wasn’t broken.”
After receiving two staples to close the wound, Olivier returned to the competition the next day.
“I was determined to qualify. I had come too far and worked too hard to let one more bull take control,” he said.
“Sunday morning, I left the crutches in the truck and walked into that arena, knowing what I had to do,” Olivier stated. “I missed the first one but covered the second one.”
As the only child of Mark and Darla Dubois Olivier, Peyton said he is grateful and thankful for their support.
“My parents totally support me in everything I do, as does my family in Louisiana,” he said.
“My dad rode bulls, so he understands my determination and my passion,” Peyton said. “He is my role model and my hero. I guess you could say it’s in my blood.
“My mom is always there cheering me on. She makes sure I keep my 4.0 GPA in school, and work hard at football and baseball.”