top of page
.png)
Our events:
Oberon Rodeo 27/2/27
FOUR DAY ACADEMY DETAILS
$2000
4th - 7th Jan 2027
Bull Riding - Chase Dougherty
Bareback - Tim O’Connell
Saddle Bronc - Wade Sundell
Bull Fighting - Chuck Swisher
Champion Living Fitness Specialists - Doug Champion & Paul Lloyd
-Must have previous riding/bullfighting experience & be aged 16+ with own gear
-$500 non refundable deposit due with registration
-Fee includes Breakfast, Lunch & Water Daily
-Participants may camp at the Oberon Showground from the 3rd of Jan and leave the morning of the 8th of Jan
.jpg)
About Champion Living Fitness
Champion Living Fitness is a US-based performance coaching organisation dedicated to helping rodeo athletes build stronger, longer-lasting careers both in and out of the arena. Founded by former professional bareback rider Doug Champion, the team delivers tailored programs that combine strength and conditioning, mobility, nutrition, mindset, and recovery strategies—all designed specifically for the demands of western athletes.Working with everyone from junior riders to world champions, Champion Living sets the standard in rodeo-specific training. Their remote coaching model allows athletes to access world-class support from anywhere, backed by a team of experienced coaches who are also former rodeo competitors themselves. The result is a uniquely authentic, athlete-first approach that’s reshaping how western sport is trained and sustained.
4 Day Optimal Performance Academy
This isn’t your average rodeo school — it’s a complete athlete development experience built for the physical, mental, and professional demands of modern roughstock competition. Led by elite performance coaches who are also former rodeo athletes, the Academy offers a unique blend of high-performance training and real-world experience.
Participants receive targeted coaching in riding technique, strength and conditioning, mobility, mindset, recovery, and nutrition — all tailored specifically to bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback, and bullfighting. Outside the arena, athletes gain valuable tools in social media strategy, budgeting, financial planning, and how to enter the U.S. pro rodeo circuit — equipping them to manage their performance and careers at an elite level.
No two days are the same. The Academy blends ground-based instruction, gym-based sessions, live practice on livestock, and workshops focused on personal growth, health, and longevity in the sport. This immersive format sharpens performance in real time while building a strong foundation for long-term success and visibility.
Bringing world-class expertise to Australian soil, the OPA offers a rare opportunity for local athletes to access the same standard of coaching and support usually reserved for the top tiers of U.S. rodeo.
Doug Champion – Founder & Head Coach, Champion Living Fitness (USA)
Doug Champion is a former professional bareback rider and the founder of Champion Living Fitness, the leading performance coaching program for western athletes in the U.S. With a strong foundation in rodeo and formal qualifications in fitness and performance, Doug has become one of the most respected voices in rodeo athlete development.
Based in Stevensville, Montana, he now coaches elite competitors across the U.S. and internationally, delivering tailored programs that focus on strength, mindset, recovery, and nutrition. Doug brings a rare combination of in-arena experience and high-performance coaching expertise, making him a driving force behind the Optimal Performance Academy’s success and a valuable ambassador for brands aligned with the next generation of rodeo talent.
Paul Lloyd – Performance Coach, Champion Living Fitness (USA)
Paul Lloyd is a performance coach with Champion Living Fitness and a former bull rider from Arkansas. He brings firsthand rodeo experience and a deep understanding of the sport’s physical and mental demands. Having competed since the age of 10 and later rodeoing in college at Southern Arkansas University, Paul blends his lifelong rodeo background with expert-level fitness coaching. He specialises in helping athletes build strength, mobility, and confidence — both in and out of the arena. Paul's practical, rodeo-specific approach makes him a trusted coach for both developing and elite competitors.
Tim O’Connell
3 x World Champion Bareback Rider
This man is a dominant force in professional bareback and one of the sport’s most decorated athletes of the modern era. Hailing from Zwingle, Iowa, he is a three-time PRCA World Champion (2016–2018), a ten-time NFR qualifier, and a two-time NFR Average Champion—proving his ability to perform consistently across the toughest ten rounds in rodeo.
Built like a linebacker and riding with explosive intensity, Tim brings raw power and technical precision to every performance. His relentless training ethic and mental toughness have earned him a reputation as one of the most prepared and focused competitors in the game.
Tim is a devoted family man and respected peer, often sharing his experience with younger riders and advocating for the evolution and safety of the sport. His blend of physical dominance, humility, and dedication makes him not only a champion but a leading figure in shaping the future of bareback.
.jpg)
Wade Sundell - World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider
Wade Sundell is one of the most respected names in professional rodeo. Hailing from Boxholm, Iowa, he turned pro in 2007 and quickly built a reputation for his fearless riding style and ability to handle the rankest broncs in the sport. In 2018, Wade captured the PRCA World Championship in Saddle Bronc Riding, cementing his place among the best in the business.
Known for his intensity, resilience, and passion for competition, Wade’s comeback story after a life-threatening injury showcases his true cowboy grit. He joins the Champion Living team for the 2026 Optimal Performance Academy, where he’ll share the techniques, mindset, and work ethic that have defined his world-class career.
Chuck Swisher - BFO Champion Professional Bullfighter
Chuck Swisher is a seasoned professional bullfighter from Dover, Oklahoma, with over a decade of experience protecting riders on some of the biggest stages in rodeo. He began his career at just 15 years old and has since built a reputation for his elite agility, sharp instincts, and unwavering commitment to rider safety.
Swisher has competed in and won major freestyle events, including the Bullfighters Only Las Vegas Championship, and has worked at prestigious rodeos across the U.S., such as the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Known for his athletic showmanship and fast-footed protection style, Chuck remains one of the most respected figures in the sport — bringing both leadership and elite performance to every arena he steps into.
Chase Dougherty - Professional Bull Rider
Chase Dougherty is a 2x NFR Qualifier & 3x PBR World Finals Qualifier, having competed at the highest level of professional bull riding across both PRCA and PBR. In 2018, he finished runner-up in the PRCA World Standings and won the NFR average — proving he has what it takes to perform when the pressure is at its highest.
A fierce competitor known for his toughness, consistency and determination, Chase has experienced the highs, setbacks and comebacks that come with a career at the top of the sport. That experience gives him a unique perspective on what it really takes to succeed — both in the arena and in the preparation behind it.
For the next generation of bull riders, Chase brings genuine insight into riding technique, preparation, mindset and handling the pressure that comes with competing at the highest level.
2027 Event Sponsors
bottom of page