They say it’s not the years, it’s the miles. Sitting down with Rickey West, I felt like I was traveling through a life lived to its fullest, one trailer load of bucking bulls at a time. Rickey, a native of Albertville, Alabama, has built a career that blends grit, heart, and family into one extraordinary story.

From the start, it’s clear this isn’t your average rancher. Rickey and his wife Selena run a family operation in Fyffe, Alabama, raising some of the finest bucking bulls you’ll ever see. And when I say family, I mean it—his kids, Riley and Hadley, and even his in-laws, Charles and Kathy Bailey, are part of the daily hustle. “We don’t have hired hands,” Rickey says with pride. “It’s all of us, pulling together.”

Fred Hunter and Rickey West

But don’t be fooled into thinking life on a ranch is simple. Raising PBR-caliber bulls is a science and an art. Rickey talks about breeding like a baseball scout analyzes players. He’s looking for the perfect combination of genetics—kick, spin, power, and agility—to breed bulls that don’t just compete but who perform with excellence. These aren’t just animals, they’re athletes, carefully monitored and nurtured from calves to competition.

“People think you just let them roam in a pasture and then load them up for an event,” Rickey explains. “But it’s like coaching a baseball team with players who can’t talk to you. You have to know your bulls—their moods, their strengths, and when they’re ready to perform.”

The road to creating these elite athletes wasn’t always smooth. Rickey started as a bull rider himself, riding rough stock at rodeos and dreaming of a better system for the sport. He recalls the days when uneven quality in bulls could make or break a rider’s career. “I told my buddy Sean Willingham once, ‘One day, I’m going to have a set of bulls where every guy has a chance to win first place.’” And Rickey has lived up to that promise, raising bulls that are not just competitive but also exceptional.

One bull in particular stands out in Rickey’s story—Dixieland Delight, named after the iconic Alabama song. This bull wasn’t just a competitor; he was a star. He bucked his way to the PBR World Finals twice, with arenas full of fans singing his namesake song as he entered. Parting ways with Dixie was tough for Rickey, but the bull’s legacy lives on. Rickey has high hopes for Dixie’s full brother, born just last year.

For all his accomplishments, Rickey’s proudest moment comes every January at the Bull Bash in Rainsville, Alabama. While the two-night PBR event draws big crowds, it’s the special needs rodeo on Thursday morning that has captured Rickey’s heart. “We started with 25 kids; last year, we had 150,” Rickey says, his voice softening. “They’re not just watching—they’re the contestants. From pony rides to dummy roping, it’s all about giving them their moment.”

It’s an event fueled by community spirit. Volunteers of all ages come together, and local businesses like FTC and Santa Fe Cattle Company provide food for the kids and helpers. “If we ever had to stop the special needs event,” Rickey says firmly, “the whole thing would be over.”

Rickey’s career has come full circle in many ways. He spent a year as the PBR’s director of operations, traveling the country and managing everything from arena crews to TV production schedules. It was an experience he values deeply, but one that reminded him of what mattered most—family. Missing his daughter’s volleyball games or standing outside the gym, glued to his phone, didn’t sit right. “I thought, ‘This isn’t fair to her,’” Rickey recalls. And so, he returned to Fyffe to focus on what he loves: being present for his family and raising bulls.

As our conversation wound down, Rickey shared his hopes for the future. While he wants his kids to forge their own paths, he’ll support them if they choose to carry on the family tradition. “I’ll keep doing this as long as I can,” he says, “but it’ll be up to them if they want to continue.”

Rickey West’s story is one of dedication—to his family, his craft, and his community. It’s a reminder that behind the roar of the arena and the thrill of the ride, there’s a world of hard work, heart, and humanity. So, if you’ve never been to a rodeo, January’s Bull Bash in Rainsville is the perfect place to start. Just don’t wait too long to grab your tickets—they sell out fast, and for good reason.