Tim O'Connell Biography 2024 - Three-Time World Bareback Riding Champion

Tim O'Connell Biography - Three-Time World Bareback Riding Champion

Tim O'Connell is a famous bareback rider who has won three world championships. Image Source: Social Media.

Anyone interested in rodeo must be well aware of Tim O'Connell. He is a famous bareback rider who has won three World Championships. Not only that, Tim showed his potential earlier on, having been the recipient of the 2013 PRCA Resistol Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year. Throughout his career, he has won several awards and events and has gained massive fame and fortune. 

Did you know the rodeo rider competed in wrestling in high school? He also believes it truly prepared him for his career in bareback riding. There are several other facts that you might find intriguing about the horseman. So, let's talk more about his day-to-day life and professional affairs in this brief biography. 

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He Quitted Bull Riding 

The WNFR rider was born on October 24, 1991, in Dubuque, Iowa, USA, but he grew up in Zwingle. Tim O'Connell's parents are Ray O'Connell and Joann O'Connell. Likewise, Tim's father was also involved in the similar profession, and was named Great Lakes PRCA Circuit Pickup Man of the Year sixteen times. Ray was working with Cervi Rodeo Company and Three Hills Rodeo Company when Tim and his older brother were born. 

O'Connell's elder sibling, Will O'Connell, is also involved in the rodeo and is a former bullfighter. He was one of the professional rodeo's top pickup men and also competed as a saddle bronc rider. While growing up, the O'Connell boys' dad used to take them to his work, and they helped their old man cool his horses out after the rodeo. 

While Tim was in high school, he aimed to compete in all three rough stock events but realized that saddle bronc riding was too technical for his taste. The sportsman was also assumed little for his age, and bareback riding left him flying high and face planting, so he focused on bull riding. Likewise, he rodeoed for the Wisconsin High School Rodeo Association, where he won the year-end bull riding championship in 2010. However, he chose to stop riding bulls after suffering a terrible wreck during his senior year at the NHSFR. 

Speaking of the athlete's education, he graduated from Maquoketa High School. He also dedicated himself to high school wrestling, where he was a three-time state qualifier and also finished fourth in the state in his senior year. Later, he joined Missouri Valley College, where he got his degree in public relations.

Tim O'Connell Net Worth And Career 

O'Connell started his rodeo career at a very young age and has also won many titles. In the 2022 season alone, he won the North American Championship Rodeo in Louisville, Kentucky. With all of his victories, he must have amassed a substantial sum of money. As a result, Tim O'Connell's net worth must be significant. 

As already mentioned, the former saddle bronc rider has won three World Championship Bareback Riding titles. Other than that, he won the bareback riding event at the 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo semifinals with 91 points on Trial Dust of Calgary Stampede and received $1,500. His other 2022 victories include winning the Cheyenne Frontier Days, Ozark Empire Pro Rodeo, and the Woodward Elks Rodeo. 

Now let's take a look at some of Tim O'Connell's earnings and career highlights:

Year World Standings Earnings
2022        #3 $126,548
2021        #6 $192,908
2020        #2 $270,991
2019        #3 $261,091
2018         #1 $319,801

Table Source: PRORODEO

By looking at the table above, we can tell that Tim has pocketed immense money. Furthermore, the sports personality's WNFR earnings is $36,852 as of August 2022. It is undoubtedly a rise from his 2021 prize money of $192,908. Also, that season, he won the San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out, Riggin Rally Xtreme Broncs, High Desert Stampede, etc.

Based on his spectacular results in numerous tournaments over the decade, the cowboy has indeed amassed enormous fame and money. However, he still has a long journey ahead and will surely do great in every game. So, Tim O'Connell's net worth will likely rise in the coming days as well. 

Had A Tailbone Surgery 

Rodeo has highs and lows, and the game is also dangerous. There are always risks, and Tim has had his fair share of injuries. Speaking of which, the bareback rider went through major surgery in 2021. On August 5 of that year, he suffered a tailbone injury while competing in Lovington, N.M., and on August 23, he confirmed to ProRodeo Sports News that he would miss the rest of the season.

Tim O'Connell Injury

Tim O'Connell suffered a tailbone injury in 2021. Image Source: Tim O'Connell's Instagram.

The following day, the 5' 7" tall sportsman underwent coccygectomy surgery. Thankfully, he has fully recovered now and is back in action.

Is Happily Married

Talking about Tim's marital status, he is a happily married man. Tim O'Connell's wife is Sami O'Connell. The duo tied the knot in October of 2015. Besides that, the handsome lad has not revealed much information about his partner. So, it is unknown when and how the couple met. Nevertheless, the duo is deeply in love, and we hope to see the pair being together for decades to come. 

Tim O'Connell Wife Sami O'Connell

Tim O'Connell is happily married to Sami O'Connell. Image Source: Tim O'Connell's Instagram.

Besides, Sami is also a very supportive and loving partner. She is usually present at her husband's matches to cheer and motivate him. The pair often post pictures with each other on their social media handles and don't shy away from expressing their love for one another.

Another rodeo personality who is married is Andrew Ward.

Blessed With Two Children

The three-time champ and his spouse are blessed with two children, Stratten Ray O'Connell, and Hazen Jeffrey O'Connell. Tim O'Connell's firstborn, Hazen, was born on March 2, 2018. And his youngest son, Stratten, arrived on April 23, 2022. While his eldest is said to go to daycare, his little baby is still a toddler. The pair shower their kids with immense love and care, as evident by their Instagram posts.

Overall, the Iowa native is enjoying a successful career and a happy personal life. Tim has a bright future as well, and his family's constant support further uplifts him. We wish him the best of luck in the future.

Trivia And Facts 

  • Tim's favorite movie is the Will Ferrell basketball comedy “Semi-Pro.”
  • His favorite dish is sushi.
  • O'Connell's rodeo idol is the nine-time world champion, Ty Murray.
  • He also enjoys hunting.

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