As long as he's riding and picking up paychecks, Myron Duarte doesn't mind answering the questions.
"Hey, you're 38 and you've really been banged up the last couple of years. Do you think someone is trying to tell you something? You know, like retiring?"
"What's an old man going to do on a bull like Tahonta?"
"So, now that you're the bull riding director on the PRCA Executive Council, shouldn't you devote all of your time to that?"
When Duarte missed just his third Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2005 since joining the PRCA 13 years earlier, the questions only increased in nature. But with a blazing start to the 2006 season his best of his career with nearly $19,000 earned Duarte figures it's time to set the record straight on his outlook, his health, and splitting job responsibilities.
"Somebody asked me when I'm going to retire," said Duarte, a native of Hawaii now living in Auburn, Wash. "I love riding bulls as much as when I started. And I'm healthy now and I'm still focused on trying to become a world champion. As long as I can stay healthy, a guy can compete. And I don't think a guy can be a great director if he's not rodeoing, too. To see what's happening, you have to be part of it. It's hard to be at home and be able to see what everyone's needs are."
While Duarte finished 38th in the final 2005 world standings with just $30,913, it wasn't from lack of effort. Instead, he made the tough decision to let up on the reins a little and let his body recover from injuries sustained at the 2004 Wrangler NFR and even dating back to years before.
With that rest and rehab and relaxation of spending more time with his wife Caitie and sons Dominic and Zachery Duarte appears to have regained the zip and form that put him at the brink of a world title in 2002.
Don't think a 30-something can win a gold buckle? Thank again. Terry Don West was 38 when he won his world title in 2003.
Perhaps a sign that he was turning the corner came last June when, at the Xtreme Bulls stop in Reno, Nev., he rode Tahonta, the two-time PRCA Bull of the Year, for 94 points. That ended the bull's buck-off streak at 39, dating back more than two years.
"I know I'm getting older, and some of the guys call me "Papa," Duarte said. "They asked me what an old man was going to do on Tahonta. I guess I'll ride him. I know it's a young man's sport, but with my health and experience, it's really starting to pay off this year."
Duarte missed three rounds of the 2004 Wrangler NFR with a sprained right knee. And when he returned in the sixth round, he tore the ACL in the same knee, ending his year early. He had surgery two days after the NFR and focused on riding again in 2005. He admitted to coming back too early, then made the business decision to prepare for 2006 rather than riding at half strength.
His injury troubles well predate the 2004 Wrangler NFR. He previously had three surgeries on a dislocated shoulder, then suffered a broken riding elbow before ultimately undergoing four surgeries on his right knee in 14 months.
Duarte now knows the difference between prudence and sheer pride.
"Maybe I was still thinking that I was young and I could manage through it and still be successful," Duarte said. "I needed to get my knee fixed, right, and be ready for this year. I had to recognize that the injuries were hindering me more than doing good."
Duarte certainly was ready for the 2006 season. He quickly won $4,085 by placing second in the first round at Denver, then finished second in the aggregate at the Dodge Xtreme Bulls 2006 Hard Ride Tour opener in San Antonio, riding two bulls for 176 points. In the process, he won $10,377 and further fueled his unprecedented lucrative winter.
"Normally, I don't have but $5,000 or $6,000 after the winter run," Duarte said. "I'm riding well and drawing well. I'm keeping myself in good physical shape, and that helps me out a lot."
Duarte is also motivated by reaching a milestone this year; he's some $58,000 from the $1 million plateau.
Another factor on Duarte's side is the fact that he has never missed consecutive NFRs. Actually, non-NFR years have been a blessing in disguise.
In 1998 and 2000, he welcomed his two sons into the world. And during last years, he earned a seat on the PRCA Board of Director's Executive Council.
"In those years, my focus wasn't on rodeo as much," Duarte said. "It's easy to look back at years when you didn't make it. Heck, I had lots of positives. They weren't bad years at all."
And based on his start, 2006 is shaping up to be not that bad of a year, either.