Growing up in Banner, Wyoming, Clayton Savage began riding horses and steers when he was just six years old. At fifteen, Savage began his high school rodeo career riding bulls and ended up qualifying for Nationals High School Finals two out of the four years. He won the National High School Title his senior year, leading him into his professional career.
After a slow couple of years in the beginning, 2007 came around and Clayton got his Rookie card where his career then took off.
Clayton’s first year qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo was 2009. “I placed in the average, climbed up a few spots, and came out in one piece”, Savage says about what his first experience riding in Las Vegas was like.
Claytons next trip to the NFR was in 2011, after taking it slow the year before due to injuries. His second trip was successful as well, as he won a round and was able to ride alongside some of his good friends.
2012 was Clayton’s most memorable year. With 130 rodeos down and a third NFR qualification, Savage was classified as a ‘veteran’ at the National Finals Rodeo. This would be Clayton’s last year to ride in Las Vegas due to health issues that came about shortly after.
Clayton began having seizers after his trip to the NFR. He was quickly diagnosed with Epilepsy, and has been dealing with this health issue ever since. “I never know when ones coming, and I just got to try to do the best I can to take care of myself”, Savage says as he describes how this diagnosis has affected him and his family’s daily life.
Despite this diagnosis, at age 35, Clayton has had a great year of Bull Riding so far and is extremely happy to be back after overcoming multiple injuries and obstacles.
