Travis Presley

The Beginning

Born in the Saddle

Built for the Arena

There is a vast difference between putting on a cowboy hat and living the cowboy way. For Travis Presley, the dirt of the rodeo arena is not just a workplace — it is home. Born and raised in Dalton, Georgia, Travis has spent over forty years living every single angle of the rodeo life. He has bucked out on the toughest bulls, entertained screaming crowds from the barrel, hauled the heavy steel, and raised the finest stock in the Southeast. He did not just join the rodeo industry; he helped build it from the ground up.

Travis Presley, founder of Outlaw Rodeo Company

The Choice

Choosing the Dirt Over the Mat

A Standout Athlete Finds His True Arena

Long before he was a producer, Travis was a standout athlete. When he reached college age, his raw physical talents earned him full scholarship offers in both collegiate wrestling and rodeo. Choosing his true passion, he stepped into the arena to pursue a professional career as a full-time bull rider. Travis started bull riding in 1980 and rode the grueling circuit for seven years, going hard to make his living on the back of bucking bulls until a devastating wreck ended his riding career in 1987.

Travis at a crossroads at sunset — wrestling gear on one side, rodeo arena on the other

A young Travis Presley in his blue and red wrestling singlet, crouched in a ready stance on a gymnasium mat

The Wreck

Eight Hours, Metal Wires, and a Lifetime of Grit

A Devastating Injury That Reforged a Life

Then, a devastating wreck changed his life forever. A powerful bull yanked Travis down violently, slamming his head directly into the animal's skull. The impact shattered his facial structure, bursting his sinuses, breaking the roof of his mouth, and pushing his nose up under his left eye. It took surgeons a grueling eight hours to wire his face and skull back together — wires he still lives with today.

Travis Presley lying in a hospital bed, sedated and bandaged after the bull-riding wreck that shattered his face — a hand rests on his shoulder in support

The Bond

Finding a Family in the Outlaw Crew

Rodeo Is Not Just a Sport — It Is a Family

While the catastrophic accident ended his days of riding bulls, it ultimately cemented his lifelong dedication to the sport. As he lay helpless in the hospital, the fellow riders he traveled the circuit with refused to leave his side, cleaning the blood from his face and looking after him. This profound bond proved to Travis that rodeo was not just a sport, but a family. Vowing to stay in the business forever, he completely reinvented his career to approach the arena from two new angles: entertainment and logistics.

Bull rider exploding from the chute at an Outlaw Rodeo event

The Showman

Double Trouble: Travis Presley & Sparky

Comedy, Trick Riding, and Arena Magic

On the entertainment side, Travis possessed a natural comedic flair and crowd-reading ability. He put on the baggy pants and face paint to become a professional rodeo clown and barrelman, even performing as a trick rider for major entertainment productions like Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. During his entertainment career, he found his ultimate partner: Sparky, his famous trick horse. Travis trained Sparky to perform intricate tricks and comedic routines right alongside him. Together, Travis and Sparky delivered laugh-out-loud comedy, jaw-dropping tricks, and unforgettable arena magic that left kids and grandparents alike cheering for more.

Travis Presley in full rodeo clown makeup and baggy gear performing an arena routine with his trick horse Sparky, dust kicking up under the lights

The Build

Rising from 9 Bleachers to the Outlaw Rodeo Co.

Honesty, Hard Work, and a Dream on Wheels

On the business side, Travis realized that every great show needs a safe, top-tier environment for both the fans and the riders. In 1989, he started out with little more than a truck, a dream, and 9 sets of mobile bleachers to lease. As his reputation for honesty and hard work grew, so did the infrastructure. That grit eventually evolved into the Outlaw Rodeo Company, which now coordinates and produces over 20 high-octane rodeo events every year.

Weathered leather and rodeo gear — the tools of the trade

Born in the Saddle

Choosing the Dirt Over the Mat

Eight Hours, Metal Wires, and a Lifetime of Grit

Finding a Family in the Outlaw Crew

Double Trouble: Travis Presley & Sparky

Rising from 9 Bleachers to the Outlaw Rodeo Co.

The Rodeo of Miracles

Pure Heart

Community

Safety First

Lasting Legacy

Experience the arena Travis Presley built.