Tim o'connell
3x PRCA World Champion Bareback Rider
about Tim o'connell
With deep roots in the rodeo industry, from his 16x PRCA circuit pickup man father and his PRCA bullfighting brother, it’s no surprise that Tim O’Connell is now a 3x PRCA World Champion Bareback Rider.
Tim was born in Dubuque, Iowa but grew up in Zwingle, Iowa, a town close to the Wisconsin border. While there he received a waiver to compete in the Wisconsin state rodeo championships where he represented the state of Wisconsin in the National High School Finals Rodeo.
Throughout the first decade of his career, Tim made waves in the industry amassing over 100 sole championship titles, more than 20 co-championships/splits, and roughly $2,180,721 in career earnings.
During this time, he also collected three consecutive PRCA World Championship titles before injuring his shoulder at the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, taking him out of the rodeo scene for six months of recovery.
He attributes his successful return to the arena to the hard work and dedication of Justin’s Sportsmedicine Team and the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.
In 2022, Tim finished sixth in the world standings, notching his season earnings to $234,232 and later making his ninth appearance at the NFR where he finished sixth and earned $104,669.
The following year he placed ninth in the PRCA before taking a year-long hiatus in 2024 to undergo two surgeries.
He made his return in 2025, becoming the co-champion at the Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Some of Tim’s essentials from top left to bottom right: Tim’s handpicked Justin exotic boots, custom made riding chaps, bareback riggin' customized to his grip along with his riding gloves, and bade back riding vest.
Tim’s handpicked Justin exotic Pascoe boots.
Tim's bareback riding glove.
Tim custom bareback riggin'.
Tim's custom-made riding chaps.
Tim's bareback riding vest.
Bareback riding is one of the most straining rodeo events. To prevent injury Tim tapes and wraps his hands, wrists and other joints prior to riding.
Above it all, family is what matters the most to Tim. His support system is composed of his wife, Sami O’Connell, and their two sons, Hazen and Stratten.
Aside from competing and spending time with his family, Tim, Sami and their friends Phillip and Kelly, are the proud founders of Ranch and Co. Interiors, a western-inspired handcrafted furniture store located in Pilot Point, Texas.
To be a World Champion doesn’t come without hard work and dedication. It takes a village to do what Tim does and to be successful at it as bareback riding is one of the most physically demanding sports out there. There are many factors that play into what it takes to be a professional rodeo athlete, and Tim knows how to put in the work that reaps the greatest reward.
Shop Tim's Favorite Styles
