127 | Capturing the Action: Wyatt Wentz on Storytelling in Western Sports

In Today’s Episode:

This week on Leaders Of The West, we’re joined by Wyatt Wentz, rodeo videographer, storyteller, and lifelong stock contractor’s son whose passion for Western sports runs deep.

If you’ve watched any of the big rodeos in the Northwest, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen Wyatt’s work. Since 2020, he’s built a full-time career behind the lens, capturing the grit, beauty, and energy of the sport he loves most.

In the episode Wyatt shares:

• How he got started and how he’s grown a full-time career in video since 2020
• Why his passion isn’t necessarily for content or camera gear, but for rodeo itself
• The lessons he’s learned behind the lens
• Why his ultimate goal is to produce full-scale rodeos with Western music events included
• How people like Randy Quartieri helped him bet on himself when it would’ve been easier to play it safe

Resources & Links:

• Randy Quartieri
• Jeff Fenster
• Subscribe to Of The West’s Newsletters
• Need Resume assistance? Of The West has your back!
• Join The Directory Of The West
• List your jobs on ⁠Of The West

Connect with Wyatt:

• Follow on Instagram @wyatt_wentz

Connect with Jessie:

• Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv
• Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest
• Check out the Of The West website

More About Wyatt

I was raised in a small town in eastern Washington. Growing up it was going to rodeos as my dad was a judge and playing baseball. Then, when the bucking bull business started to grow it was going to PBR’s and playing baseball through middle school and high school. My dad started raising bucking bulls, because he wanted some way to stay around the rodeo business after he retired from raising broncs. My mom had a rodeo background too and she breakaway roped and ran barrels up here in the northwest.

I went to college to play baseball at a junior college near home here and then in Portland at aDivision 2 School. I wanted to play baseball my whole life, but it turns out you have to be really good. So, after getting my degree in business Admin then I coached baseball for awhile. But, I really was missing rodeo.

I saw a business opportunity with video for rodeo committees and that’s why I started filming in 2020. My family had a handful of rodeos, and I just created recaps for them for free. Then, things started to take off. I have been full time since 2022. Some special stuff I have shot would be 3 NFR’s, Cody Johnson shows, The American, and the recent Hell on Wheels project. My passion doesn’t necessarily live in video, but it lives in rodeo. I don’t know if I will do video forever, but for now it is my way to be involved in rodeo. One day my goal is to eventually be a rodeo producer, and hire everything out.

More About Leaders Of The West

Leaders Of The West is a podcast for innovators and change-makers in the ag and western industries. Hosted by Jessie Jarvis, the Founder of Of The West, our mission with Leaders Of The West is to foster a community of pioneers, innovators, and leaders who want to be at the forefront of what’s next. 

Whether it’s a guest episode where we’re digging into the blueprints behind our favorite industry businesses, discussing the innovation and strategies that have allowed family farming and ranching operations to continue on for another generation, to episodes with honest conversations from entrepreneurs who have risked it all on their dreams, or leaders detailing how to create a company culture so strong that you couldn’t pay your employees to leave. 

These conversations are meant to encourage the leaders of today and inspire the next generation of trailblazers. 

In addition to bringing in guests, you’ll also find some solo episodes, where Jessie shares the lessons she’s learned throughout her journey as a rancher, entrepreneur, wife, and mother. 

Whether you’re a farmer, a rancher, an equine lover, someone headed up the leadership ladder, an ag business owner, a western sports athlete, an entrepreneur, or someone who just loves the western way of life—this is the place for you.

You’ll find new episodes every week. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss a show!