At the end of January, a young man named Austin Ashley was named Reserve World Champion and won the World Finals event for the Bullfighters Only (BFO) organization. To watch this talented bullfighter move is to observe impressive agility, consistency, and calmness.
The agility comes from training week by week and is enhanced by his days as a star athlete in high school. While the fast footwork is necessary, Austin knows his physical capabilities can become lost in an instant if he gives in to fear, doubt, and the rush of adrenaline. He uses this awareness to cultivate calmness, the secret to his ability to stay in the moment.
The trademark of a good bullfighter is their capacity to be fully present in the here and now. This trait makes their work appear as though they are in a separate world where nothing and no one exists except for them and the bull. They have listened to the bull, learned their melody, and become the ultimate dance partner.
Austin’s footwork allows him to float around the bulls, his muscle movements elevating each limb at just the right moment before a crash can occur. The haunting grace of near misses reminds the crowd he is the protector willing to take a risk for the rider. The time spent honing his craft reflects the respect that the industry has for fighting bulls and their athleticism.
A native of Wynnewood, OK, Ashley credits his ongoing focus and success to the caliber of mentors in his life. From the time he was 10, fellow Oklahoman Cody Webster was over at his house around his stepdad’s bucking bulls providing a first-hand example of how to take each bull one at a time and learn their style. One day Webster and friends slapped a vest on young Ashley and let him give it a whirl.
Yet it wasn’t until the end of his junior year of high school that Austin realized it was what he wanted to do. With his family’s support, he switched to homeschooling and hitting the rodeo road.
He has since become a familiar face on the PBR Velocity Tour and at numerous PRCA events. Although the sport focuses on the animal, it is his fellow fighters that bring life to each day.
Austin works to encourage those around him in the same way they build him up. He finds his fuel in motivational podcasts, employing positive thinking and tactics like Matthew McConaughey’s charge to chase your heroes and become your version of them five to ten years down the line.
While he believes in these visions, his favorite phrase comes from a friend and fellow bullfighter Dusty Tuckness, who is known for his faith and determination to look on the bright side.
As Dusty says, “ What can I do today to make myself better from yesterday to make me better for tomorrow?”
This is how these men walk through life. Always looking to be better than they were the day before. Not only does this attitude impact Austin’s performance, but it reflects the strength of character that allows him to sincerely appreciate each bull and its’ breeding.
While a few bulls from different contractors like Manuel Costa stand out in his mind one bull holds a special place in Austin’s heart. He was a big blue bull named Tinkerbell who sported the Rocking B brand and originally came from Brett Hall.
Austin had seen Tinkerbell at the finals but hadn’t had a chance to fight him. It was Waco, TX with Dusty Tuckness working the gates when Austin’s moment came and he got to call Tinkerbell in. An amazing dance ensued between the two and Ashley met with victory. Ever the gentleman, Ashley ended the night by going to shake hands with Troy Bradshaw and thanked him for bringing such a great bull to the competition.
Not long after, Tinkerbell’s original owner Brett Hall passed away. A week later, Tinkerbell followed suit. Such losses are sad for the sport, but the lessons taught in those moments live on.
Austin Ashley has the skill, the determination, and the best of teachers. Tinkerbell was only the beginning.
