Rodeo: Elliott trying to make a name for himself

Ty Elliott knew the reputation of the Odessa College rodeo team long before he came to the Permian Basin.

Good news travels fast - and far.

Growing up in Canada, Elliott he did what all Canadian children do from an early age: skate and play hockey.

"When I came to Odessa College, it was the first time I hadn't played hockey since I was three," said Elliott, who last competed for the Wranglers in 2007.

"But I did get a chance to see some hockey with the Jackalopes, so that was nice. But I really came down here to rodeo and learn all I could and it was the best decision I've made."

Elliott was up Saturday night in the second performance of the SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo at the Ector County Coliseum - albeit very shortly.

Aboard a bull named Fu Boo, Elliott was quickly unseated after the bull made a move to the left just out of the chute and sent the Vernon, B.C., cowboy to the dirt.

"Not exactly what I was hoping for tonight," Elliott said with a smile. "But it's great to get back to Odessa and see coach (Jim) Watkins and a lot of friends."

Elliott had a great season of his own last year. He split time between the PRCA and PBR qualifying events around the country.

Traveling to the top 10 rodeos in Canada, Elliott qualified for the Canadian Circuit Finals, which he won. Overall, he finished fifth in the standings and hopes to use his 2008 season as a springboard to a successful 2009 campaign.

A journey that he hopes ends in Las Vegas at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

"I learned a lot last year and one of the things was that I got on too many bulls that I shouldn't have," Elliott said of his first full year on the road. "There were times I shouldn't have entered, but did because it was my first year and I wanted to be successful.

"Now, I'm going to be picking the better rodeos and I'm entered here, Denver, Fort Worth and San Antonio and hope to get into Houston. If I have a good winter, I'll be looking to make the NFR."

Along with the larger PRCA events, Elliott will continue to ride in the PBR qualifying events. He hopes to make enough money to move into the Top 45, which would put him on the Built Ford Tough Series Tour.

It's a schedule that doesn't leave much down time.

"I had six days off last January," Elliott said. "It's tough on the body.

"But this is something that I've wanted to do my whole life, so I'm having a great time."