The Austin Gamblers claimed the 2024 Professional Bull Riders world teams Championship Oct. 18-20 in Las Vegas, and Dublin resident Dalton Kasel led them to victory with a 92 point ride aboard Always Been Ready.
Kasel said the victory was anything but assured though as he suffered a few injuries earlier in the season and not pulling the numbers he wanted.
“I just wasn’t riding the best,” he remarked. “I had lacerated my kidney and messed up one knee.”
These injuries led to six weeks of recovery with his wife, Paydon and 3-year-old daughter at their arena just outside Dublin.
Kasel said the six weeks of recovery and prayer gave him time to clear his head and come back to the arena ready for action.
The 25-year-old Muleshoe native admitted it was a slow start as he got bucked off and hung up the first day of the Championships.
“My wife and I just did a lot of praying for a breakthrough,” he said. “The Lord turned up in a big way.”
Kasel scored 88.5 the next day and 90.5 on night 3 before the winning 92 in the championship round.
The local champion is already eager for the next season. “I’m ready to start back up for next year,” he said.
This isn’t surprising as bull riding has been a passion since he first watched the sport with his dad.
“My dad and I watched football on TV and they would play bull riding afterwards,” he remembered. “It’s always been something I loved and something the Lord led me to.”
He started riding at the age of 13. He started riding professionally in 2019 and claimed Rookie of the Year. After high school, Kasel went to college in Big Spring but it was his wife who led him to the area. He’s known Paydon for his whole life and counts her brother as his best friend.
When she started attending Tarleton, they discussed buying some property as Kasel always loved the area. Kasel said in his down time, he bucks bulls for people, helps friends with cattle and enjoys time with his family on the land.