HOMETOWN: Fort Hall, ID
BIRTHDAY: 03/10/79   AGE: 28
HEIGHT: 5' 11"   WEIGHT: 170
BACK NO: 10   YEARS RIDING PRO: 8
WEBSITE: www.wileypetersen.com

At the encouragement of his grandfather, Wiley Petersen climbed on his first steer at age 10. "My Grandpa rode bulls, and he taught me how to ride. He was my role model growing up – he's honest, hard working, and a good person." Petersen showed great success at riding from the start – winning his first buckle the same year. He gradually progressed to junior bulls and competed in high school and amateur rodeos thoughout his teens. Petersen caught the eye of the rodeo coach at Idaho State University in Pocatello and received a scholarship. He competed in college rodeos for two years before he joined the PBR.

Petersen says his most memorable ride remains his 94-point trip atop Little Yellow Jacket of Berger/Teague/Taupin at the NILE Bull Riders Invitational in Billings in 2003. The ride helped him clinch the event title and $51,756 in prize money. The Idaho cowboy suffered the worst injury of his career in January of 2004 during the Phoenix Invitational. Petersen tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee. The injury required surgery and sidelined him for six months.