Mount Vernon, Oregon
When it comes to Trevor Knowles vs. a 500 lb. steer, Trevor is the force to be reckoned with. He’s one of the top steer wrestlers in the world with several awards to his name, including four-time Calgary Stampede Champion Steer Wrestler. He’s also qualified thirteen consecutive years in a row to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. But when he’s not on the road or in the arena, you can find him in Mount Vernon, Oregon working on the family ranch and spending time with his wife, Jena.
What goes through your head when you first wake up in the morning?
First, coffee. Then I get myself mentally prepared to take on whatever is thrown my way.
Where is your favourite place to steer wrestle?
Pendleton Round–Up because nothing has changed there in 100 years.
Tell us a favourite story from a day out steer wrestling.
Winning the Calgary Stampede in 2015. My wife Jena was there to celebrate my victory with me, then we drove 13 hours overnight to the next rodeo in Idaho.
How do you up your game year after year?
I practice running steers at home in the practice pen and also make sure my horses are in top physical condition.
Who are your heroes? Who do you look up to?
My dad Jeff Knowles, and anyone in uniform.
What part of you, or what you do, reflects a spirit of restlessness?
I’m always on the move whether I’m rodeoing for 9 months with no time to rest, or home on the ranch playing catch-up. I make sure the fences are fixed and the cows are taken care of, and when I have a few spare hours in the day, I try to squeeze in a hunt here and there.
If there is any love-hate relationship with any aspect of what you do, can you describe what that is?
I love throwing steers more than anything, but it’s hard leaving home now that I’m older.