​    Welcome, Thank you for stopping by  Pro bull rider Pete Bartkowski's promo page. Our goal is to help generate a bigger fan base for Mr. Bartkowski and to keep current fans up to date with the events he will be competing in.

     Pete is currently working on his degree in Environmental Science,  with a focus on  

" Resource Land Management ", going to rodeo's when he is able to leave from his studies. Mr. Bartkowski grew up in the small town of Battle Ground, Washington, where, as a young cowboy he helped out on his grandparents cattle farm, haying, feeding, and some milking. He also worked at the local saddle club where he learned to ride steers, and  Jr bulls. Since then he has been hooked on that 8 second ride.

     Throughout high school he competed in the Northwest Pro Rodeo Association, to later qualify for the 1995 finals. In 1996 he packet his gear and little he had to chase his dream of becoming a World Champion and moved to Weatherford, Texas. He says quote " Moving to Texas was absolutely the best choice I made to excel at what I love. I met some of the greatest people in the world, and travel with some of the best riders ". Mr. Bartkowski rides all across the U.S with the GCPRA ,CPRA, PRCA, and will compete in the CBR. He will also attend more Lane Frost bull riding tour stops, and 8x World Champion Don Gay's bull riding tour in 2014. Pete has qualified for GCPRA Finals 2011, 2012, and 2013.

    Like any cowboy, Pete has had many ups and downs in life and in his bull riding career. In early 2000 he was riding full-time entering as many bull riding's as he could. Then an injury set him back and he had to find work to cover bills and living cost. He went back to riding a year later and in 2004 was sidelined again. In 2011, Mr. Bartkowski was sidelined yet again but this time it was an eye opener ( or eye closer ) as he puts it, with a chuckle. Competing at the 2011 Grand Canyon Professional Rodeo Finals in Chandler, AZ he drew a long horned black bull from T5/V-Heart rodeo company "Oh no2", 3 seconds into the ride his right leg was thrown back and he was thrown off. As Pete was going forward the bull was coming up and knocked him out causing a crushed nose, and fractured right eye socket. Upon arriving to the ER trauma center they rushed him in to emergency surgery and listed him as a T2 patient. The next day the surgeon came and told Mr. Bartkowski that if his injury had been an 1/8" higher he wouldn't be here and to consider retirement.

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Pete has so much drive, passion and desire to ride these bulls, that upon interviewing him I could see in his eyes, that fire that burns deep within him, that I have never seen before. And 1 month later he was entered and riding at the 2nd event of the 2012 GCPRA season, with a helmet.

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   2013 is a new year and a fresh start for Mr. Bartkowski and he is looking to expand his western family by generating new sponsorships to help pay for travel expenses, membership fees, entry fees, and gear.  I am pleased to help Pete in his quest to become a world champion bull rider. I have meet a lot of individuals. Yet I have never met someone with so much drive and  pure determination to over come road blocks and set backs to be where he is today in his career as a professional bull rider.

    I asked him how he gets his strength to push forward and keep focused, and he told me !

 " There is only one person in my life that never turns his back and is always there no matter what, and that is my savior the good lord above. "  He wiped a tear from his eye and pulled up his sleeves and showed me two words he has tattooed on his forearms " STRENGTH " on the right, " DETERMINATION " on the left. In closing with my part of this as his editor, I just want to say, That knowing this man and seeing him ride and go through life's detours. Pete has what it takes to be a champion and deserves that chance to excel at what he loves !

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