corrected March 7, 2025

 

“It’s an honor to be a bullfighter,” says professional bullfighter Travis ‘THA DUCK’ Beasley II of Fairfield. “I’m excited to start my own legacy and further those of others. The job is rewarding. To put your life at risk to help a complete stranger stay safe, has meaning.”

This said after Beasley attended The National Black Cowboy Rodeo Awards & Gala as an honoree this year. The event was held February 1, 2025, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma.

Beasley received Honorable Mention for 2023, and with his upcoming performances, is on the road to earning Bull Fighter of the Year this year.

Beasley, a 2014 graduate of Fairfield High School, is the son of Travis Beasley (formerly of Fairfield) and Angela Castleberry (of Mexia). His siblings are Madison Beasley, Joshua Beasley, and Drayton Beasley.

“I grew up in Fairfield around the likes of Sam Robinson, Meagan (Lott) Hayden, Tristan McGowan, and Joseph & Bubba Jackson, who participated in rodeos doing wild cow milking and roping, but I only rode horses,” explains Beasley. “I was part of The One & Only Trail

Riders group out of Mexia but always wanted to do more.”

After high school, Beasley earned his degree and became a Behavioral & Mental Health Specialist and is currently working in Oklahoma City and Norman, Oklahoma.

He also attended Hill College for Fire School and has previously served on the Bynum Fire Department.

Beasley began bullfighting (rodeo clown) at Elis County Cowboy Church, being self-taught, but while in Fire School, a classmate encouraged him to attend a professional bullfighting program.

In 2018, he attended a three-day course at Sankey Rodeo School, where he learned Freestyle Bullfighting and Cowboy Protection.

His first official rodeo performance was the Ethan Busby Memorial Rodeo in Winnsboro, Texas and his two largest venues to perform in, so far, are the Texas State Fair Rodeo and the Roy Lablanc Rodeo in Okmulgee, OK.

Known as THA DUCK or The Rubber Duck by his fans, Beasley performs a kid friendly act, mainly with IPRA and Black Heritage Rodeos. “I love to interact with the kids and give out little rubber ducks with my logo on them,” he says.

Beasley is in the process of creating his own apparel line with his logo as well.

“My lifelong goal is to participate in the Freestone County rodeo and surrounding areas,” says Beasley. “To come back home and to perform for my family, friends, and community; and pay homage to where I come from.”

Beasley would like to give a special ‘Thank You’ to all his supporters, especially to Jay and Michelle Welch of Fairfield, for believing in him.

–Previous Performances
Roy LeBlanc Invitational – Okmulgee, OK – 2021 & 2024
Boley Rodeo – Boley, OK – 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024
Arcadia Rodeo, Arcadia OK – 2021
1st Annual Bass Reeves Rodeo – Arkansas – 2024
Mustache Bash – El Reno, OK – Alternate 2022 & Protection Team 2023-2024
Cowboys of Color – Oklahoma City, OK – 2022, 2023, & 2024
Texas Cowboys of Color/Texas Black Invitational Rodeo – Dallas, TX – 2023 & 2024
ACRA/IPRA – Baxter Springs, KS – 2024
ACRA/IPRA Cheatwood Memorial Rodeo – Okemah, OK – 2024.
Texas State Fair Rodeo – 2023 & 2024
Cowboys OKC – Live Bull Riding and Bar – 2023-2024 & fill in 2021-2022
Billy Bob’s – Ft Worth, TX – 2024

–2025 Rodeo Season
Feb. 8 – Oklahoma Black Rodeo – Tulsa, OK
Apr. 5 – Duncan, OK Rodeo
Apr. 26 – Langston Big Spring Rodeo – Guthrie, OK
May 3 – Cowboys of Color – Red Dirt Rodeo – Oklahoma City, OK
May 13 – Mustache Bash – El Reno, OK
May 24 – Boley Rodeo – Boley, OK
May 31 – Black Rodeo USA Pro – Shelbyville, TN
Jul. 25-26 – IPRA/ACRA – Carnegie, OK
Aug. 8-9 – Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo – Okmulgee, OK
Aug. 16 – Pro Rodeo – Gonzales, TX
Aug. 29-30 – Arizona Black Rodeo USA Pro – Scottsdale, AZ
Oct. 10-11 – Las Vegas Black Rodeo Finals – Las Vegas, NV
Oct. (TBD) – Texas State Fair Rodeo
Dec. – Las Vegas Finals/NFR