For the people involved in the rodeo circuit, it's much more than just a hobby or a pastime: it's a lifestyle, one that can be incredibly demanding.

For 23-year-old Eckville bull rider Austin Nash, it's a family tradition, with a Canadian Championship bull rider for one grandfather, a saddle bronc rider for another, and parents who were both involved in the rodeo scene, his mother was a barrel racer while his father also rode bulls.

Over this past week, Nash competed in small-town rodeos in Wainwright, Sundre, High River and Medicine Hat.

He also placed 3rd at an event in Langley B.C., as well as picking up a few wins at events in Red Deer this past spring.

He says this is the prime time for the rodeo circuit.

“Right now we call this the ‘Cowboy Christmas’ it’s kind of a lot of the big ones and we’re pretty busy for about three weeks here pretty steady. We love this time of the year, it’s when all of the money is made and it shows who the real cowboys are.”

Nash says bull riding is different from his grandparent’s day, where they now put more emphasis on being physically fit compared to just being farm tough.

“Bull riding used to be just the cowboys and kind of the rough and tough crowd, but now it’s kind of shifted dynamics and bull riders realized we have to be more of an elite athlete. Most guys, myself included, spent a lot of time in the gym and a lot of time sitting on the barrel at home and getting on practice bulls in the practice pen and stuff like that, and just try to stay as prepared as possible.”

Nash hopes to own his own ranch one day, and is currently in school to become a high school teacher, as he knows that the career of a professional bull rider is not a lengthy one.

Nash will be busy with the Ponoka Stampede this week, which starts Tuesday with a farmers market at the arena all day long.

The pro rodeo starts at 6:30.