Bullfighter Ty Prescott Reflects on a Wild Ride with PBR Canada

AIRDRIE, Alta. – At the conclusion of the 2024 PBR Canada Cup Series, 15-year veteran bullfighter Ty Prescott called time on his PBR career.

While he’ll continue fighting bulls at Canadian Pro Rodeo Association events, Prescott has stepped back from the PBR to focus more on family life.

With 15-year-old stepdaughter Kendle entering the professional rodeo ranks, and his wife Kristen by her side, Prescott says his priorities have shifted.

“I’m getting a little older, and Kendle’s getting a little older. I want to be home a little more. I’ve fulfilled my dreams, so now it’s time to let her chase hers,” said Prescott.

“It was kind of an easy decision. I want to be home more, be a better parent. She wants to rodeo, so I thought it would be a great way to keep going to pro rodeos—supporting her, fighting the rodeos she is at, and going down the road together as a family.”

Prescott’s start bullfighting at PBR events came unexpectedly in 2009. While hauling bulls to the Glen Keeley Memorial in Stavely, Alberta, he found out one of the bullfighters would be late. He was travelling with fellow bullfighter Kelly Morton, who suggested he fill in for Jesse Byrne until he arrived.

“I’d only fought two amateur rodeos in my life up to that point,” said Prescott. “We stopped at a sports store in Okotoks to grab pads, a vest, and a jersey. That was my first one—and I never looked back. I was hooked. I got to fight the Glen Keeley a few years after that. The PBR shaped me in a lot of good ways.”

Over the course of his career, Prescott worked hundreds of PBR performances, always pushing himself to match the level of talent around him.

“When you’re in the PBR, you’re with the best—so you have to be your best.”

Looking back on his nine years within the PBR Canada Cup Series, Prescott recalls many standout moments. One that sticks out for the Strathmore, Alberta native was the tour’s first trip east.

Sometimes, it’s the adventures outside the arena that leave the biggest mark.

“Going to Halifax, Nova Scotia, was probably the coolest and most interesting trip for me,” Prescott said. “We stopped first in Quebec City, then were off to Halifax. I ended up hitchhiking 200 kilometres to get into town to meet Brock Radford and Lonnie West, who were doing autograph sessions and PR stuff.”

Travelling with Jake Wilson and the bulls, Prescott was dropped off on an overpass.

“I said, ‘Screw it, drop me off right here.’ An old army vet picked me up and got me near the airport. Then a family of four picked me up and got me the rest of the way. I just wanted to meet the boys and be part of it.”

Prescott says it’s the people he misses most.

“I miss the people more than the job, to be honest with you,” he said. “Pete Gebraad [PBR Canada Production Manager] always had my back. Everyone knew I had a bit of a wild side, but Pete didn’t care. He and Tiffany Beaton, Blaine Fyson—great people. Blaine and I used to joke around in the arena every show. I miss that.”

Inside the arena, watching his best friend Radford climb the PBR ranks is a memory Prescott treasures.

“Watching Brock nearly win the title for like four years—that’s a core memory. He’s one of my best friends. Him, Lonnie West, Dakota Buttar, Aaron Roy. Seeing Aaron still killing it in his late 30s is amazing.”

And one ride in particular stands out.

“One of the best seven-second rides I’ve ever seen was Brock on Blue Magic at the Glen Keeley Memorial. He was almost 92 points. Most of my memories are about Brock—he was always my number one fan and basically a brother to me. Still is.”

Prescott knows that a bullfighter is only as strong as the team around him. In his final years on tour, he shared the arena with Brett Monea and Tanner Byrne, both considered among Canada’s best.

“I was lucky to fight with two of the best guys to ever put on cleats in Canada,” Prescott said. “That’s Brett and Tanner. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for always having my back—in and out of the arena.”

Of course, no bullfighter escapes a few hookings. Two bulls always seemed to have Prescott’s number.

“There was an Ellie Skori bull called Smash. I think out of the 50 times I saw him buck, he got me 20. He broke my thumb once—14 screws, two plates, and a bone graft in my hand,” Prescott said.

“Then Kesler’s Devil’s Advocate—I only had to fight him three times a year, and he got me twice every year. He knocked me out at the CFR and got me again at Ponoka. Smash wasn’t even that mean, he just always got me. Devil’s Advocate keeps everyone on their toes.”

Asked what sets Canadian bullfighters apart on the world stage, Prescott doesn’t hesitate.

“We’re gritty,” he said. “It’s colder up here—you’ve got to be tough. But more than that, everyone helps each other. Nobody gets left behind.”

He credits Scott Byrne with playing a key role in his development.

“I remember when I first started fighting bulls, I wanted it so bad. Scott told me to come to his school. I didn’t have to pay—he said he had it covered. That belief in me was huge.”

Prescott says that kind of mentorship is why Canada keeps producing great bullfighters.

“When you’ve got great ones willing to teach, you make more great ones.”

As for retirement, Prescott isn’t ready to commit to a final timeline. He’ll be working Canadian Pro Rodeo Association events in 2025 and will take stock after a season on the road with Kendle and Kristen.

“I’ve told a lot of the events I work that I’m going to see how it goes. I’d love to get one more Canadian Finals and then just play it by ear,” he said.

“Doing this as a family will be great—and a little cheaper, too, with me working and Kendle entering the rodeo. We’ll see where she goes, and that’ll help decide my plans. I haven’t made any final decisions yet.”