Can’t Is the ‘F’ Word in the Feilds’ Home

Here we go with Gold Buckle Buzz, a series of exclusive interviews with each 2021 PRCA World Champion. First up, bareback champ Kaycee Feild.

Written By: Brian Hurlburt

It would seem appropriate to reflect upon being a world champion in a quiet moment, especially if a person was the owner of six gold buckles.

But maybe what sets apart the mere mortals from a PRCA World Champion is to never look back and to be committed to an overall mindset of positivity.

“I’m not done with rodeo, so I never think, ‘Oh, I’m a world champion’, because I’m continually thinking about the next one,” says Kaycee Feild, a 6-time bareback PRCA World Champion. “I did my workout this morning so I can go get number seven and that is my focus. I try and picture what it will be like when I get number seven and that is very motivating. But I will admit that I get noticed more now and people want an autograph or a picture. I now have a better understanding of the impact that I have on others. Those moments do bring being a world champion to my attention and it’s a humbling thing. I understand what I’ve achieved and I know it is special. But I want the next one.”

From the outside, it seems like Feild’s success has been destiny. After all, he’s the son of Lewis Feild, a three-time All-Around PRCA World Champion (1985-87), a two-time bareback PRCA World Champion (1986-7) and ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee (1992).

But just because a man is born with the genes of rodeo doesn’t mean success is a given. Sometimes it’s the opposite.

To whom much is given, much is expected and demanded.

“I believed in myself from the beginning and I have it on video from when I was four years old saying that I was going to be a world champion,” Feild says. “Having a positive mindset from four years old and believing in myself from that age, I am here as a world champion because of that belief and that faith. My intentions were clear from the very beginning.  And in our house, saying the ‘F’ word wasn’t nearly as bad as saying ‘I can’t.’ If I said I can’t, my mom and dad were jumping on my ass. That’s something I’ve instilled in myself and instilled in my kids. Nothing is hard and don’t ever say can’t.”

The late Lewis Feild’s influence on Kaycee runs deep. At times, there’s a voice helping to guide his way, whether in or out of the chute.

“The most important thing I learned from my dad was knowing wrong from right and then doing what is right,” Feild says. “My dad was one of the best men I’ve ever met and the most humble champion ever. And reminding myself to do right all the time, ignore the wrong, is the most inspirational thing I can tell myself and my kids. Those thoughts are in his honor. In this day and age, there’s a lot of bad going on, but just because there’s a lot of bad doesn’t mean it’s okay.”

Just as he did as a young kid preparing to reach the heights of rodeo, Feild also commits to his process before each and every ride.

“When I’m getting in the bucking shoot, it’s about reaction and believing in my preparation,” Feild says. “What I do to get ready to ride that horse is months and months and weeks and days of dreaming of being there. And then I have to completely trust myself. I know it’s time to get tough, get mean and go as fast as I can because a lot happens in those eight seconds. Even if you have a plan, it doesn’t usually work. But if you can just trust in yourself and react, you usually do pretty well.” 

Feild is now in the thick of the summer run and was lurking in the top 10 of the PRCA standings through June. There is a lot of work to do before Vegas and the epic 10 days and nights in December during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, where hopefully more memories will be made.

“Winning last year is a fun moment to look back on and it brings me a lot of joy and a lot of emotion,” says Feild, who broke the tie at five bareback titles with ProRodeo Hall of Famers Joe Alexander and Bruce Ford. “Going through the 10 days and going into a league of my own was special. And it was nice to share it with the people who have supported me the whole way. Scratching that one off the to-do list of my goals was huge. It was a remarkable time.”

Imagine how number seven is going to feel.