Rodeo: A Lifestyle That Never Clocks Out

For Jon and Tisa Peek, rodeo isn’t just a sport; it’s the heartbeat of a way of life that never takes a season off.

Rodeo has its roots in the everyday life of ranchers, where skills like working cattle, breaking broncs, doctoring livestock, and roping were not only necessary, but a way of life. These daily tasks gradually evolved into friendly competitions that showcased a cowboy’s grit, strength, and horsemanship. “Rodeo isn’t just a Western America thing; it’s truly an international sport, with top athletes hailing from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia,” says Jon Peek, who is a great example of how the path to rodeo can vary. Jon didn’t grow up on a traditional working cattle ranch, but his upbringing with horses and rodeo stock steered him toward the arena.

Growing up in Colorado, Jon started competing in rodeo events around the age of 12 and since hasn’t looked back. During his college years, he competed in College Rodeo while at school in Texas and Colorado. His favorite event is calf roping, where his hard work has paid off with numerous titles, including Mountain States and Badlands Circuit Championships, along with multiple state championships in the North Dakota Rodeo Association (NDRA). Today, Jon brings that same dedication to coaching as the head of the Bismarck State College rodeo team.

Courtesy: 4-C Photgraphy | Courtesy: RodeoReady

Tisa Peek, host of BEK TV's Dakota Cowboy and originally from Berthold, was born into a love of rodeo. Her mother came from a rodeo family, and one of Tisa’s fondest memories is celebrating her birthday each year at the Minot Y’s Men Rodeo, an experience that sparked her lifelong love of horses. “Horses are my communication with the outside world,” Tisa says, explaining that without them, she wouldn’t have the relationships or life she has today.

Her journey with horses has taken her all over the western U.S., including Wyoming, where she went to college and worked on a ranch while continuing to train horses and compete. A talented competitor, Tisa is a Badlands Circuit finalist in barrel racing and a multi-time finalist in the NDRA. These days, she primarily competes in barrel racing with the occasional team roping event, and when she's not in the arena, she's training top-division and young horses, pouring her knowledge and heart into the next generation of champions.

Jon and Tisa, along with their two boys, run a ranch in South Bismarck, their boys already following in their footsteps as talented young ropers. The family keeps more than 20 horses and plenty of rodeo stock to stay competition-ready. When they’re not managing the ranch, the Peeks are busy preparing for rodeos and jackpot events, hosting and teaching clinics and camps, and working with the Bismarck State College Rodeo Team. Tisa serves as Assistant Coach.

Most of their days are devoted to caring for their animals, a responsibility they take seriously. They believe that rodeo is about caring for both human and animal athletes, making sure their horses are cross-trained for multiple events and always having a standby horse ready if another needs rest. As Tisa says, “It only takes a month to fall out of shape, but it takes three to five months to be in tip-top shape.” Daily feeding, adjusting nutrition, helping animals recover from injuries, and even giving them needed mental breaks are all part of the Peeks’ commitment to providing the very best care for their horses, ensuring they are healthy, happy, and ready to perform.

The Peeks have many reasons for dedicating their lives to rodeo, but one of the biggest is the opportunity it gives them to compete as a family, spending valuable time with their 8- and 17-year-old boys. Together, they enjoy traveling to small-town rodeos across the Dakotas, where the spirit of community is still strong. They believe these rodeos are about more than just competition; they bring people together, preserve an old-school sense of wholesomeness, and give a vital boost to local economies. “Rodeo provides opportunities rich in family, community, and faith. It’s the heart and soul of the people who keep America moving,” says Jon. Tisa agrees, “We couldn’t do this if the small communities didn’t have rodeos each year.”

BEK is embracing that appreciation of rodeo through its growing Summer Rodeo Broadcast Lineup, which launched on April 12th. The next rodeo is scheduled for May 24th in Bowman. New this year, BEK TV will broadcast the North Dakota High School Rodeo Association (NDHSRA) Finals, taking place June 13–15, also from Bowman. The season will wrap up with full coverage of the NDRA Finals on September 26–27 in Watford City. Through its broadcasts, BEK continues its commitment to supporting and celebrating the heart of rural communities and the athletes who keep the rodeo spirit alive.

Watch rodeo this summer on BEK TV. Visit the BEK TV Channel Finder for your local BEK TV channel, or stream it anytime with the BEK TV+ app. For a full rodeo schedule, visit BEK TV Schedule.