Published: September 23, 2007 12:31 am            

5-time world champ Etbauer says he’s been fortunate

At 5-foot-5, 140 pounds, Billy Etbauer is small.

But in his sport, he is a giant.

“I’ve been very fortunate,’’ said Etbauer, a five-time world champion saddle bronc rider.

Etbauer did not disappoint an estimated crowd of 2,000 Saturday night at the Enid Stampede PRCA Rodeo at Chisholm Trail Expo Center.

On board Oklahoma horse “Goodies,’’ Etbauer recorded a score of 80 to win the saddle bronc event.

Etbauer, who has made 17 appearances at the National Finals Rodeo, has been so successful in the sport, his riding style has been emulated by many bronc riders. A case can be made Etbauer is the greatest saddle bronc rider in history.

“I’ve been very blessed,’’ said Etbauer, who now lives in Edmond. “There are lots of guys who deserve to win a world title. I feel I have been lucky to get just one of them.

“Everybody has their God-given talents. They have their own techniques. ... I always had a vision of what works for me. But there is always room for improvement.’’

Since his rookie season of 1988, Etbauer has won five world titles in the saddle bronc event, the most recent in 2004.

“The right things had to happen at the right time. I was lucky,’’ he said. “There have been lots of guys who had as much or more ability than me.’’

Etbauer competes in an event considered by many the truest of rodeo events.

“I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like bronc riding,’’ he said.

Etbauer does not know how much he has earned in the sport over the years (it’s $2.4 million), and he said it wasn’t a priority.

“I’ve been very fortunate,’’ he said. “The important things to me are family, friends and fans. The money, that’s just stuff.’’

Like any longtime rodeo cowboy, Etbauer has suffered his share of injuries. In June, he suffered a broken tibia. His most serious injury was in 1993 when he ruptured a disk in his back.

“You can’t be concerned about injuries or you’re not going to ride up to your ability,’’ he said. “If you start to worry about getting hurt, that’s when it’s time to get out.’’

Etbauer, 44, is uncertain how long he will continue to compete.

“It all day by day, horse by horse,’’ he said. “That’s the way it has been for years. We’ll see. One of these days my time will come. But it hasn’t come yet.

“The cowboys and the fans have kept me going. I can’t thank them enough.’’

Next up for Etbauer will be a limited-entry event in Omaha, Neb., Thursday through Saturday.

Etbauer is ranked 17th in the world standings in saddle bronc riding with $52,689 in earnings this season. He hopes to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo Dec. 6-15 in Las Vegas.