In this episode of Horse People, I’m joined by Josh Edwards aka Cowboy Josh a rodeo legend, entrepreneur, dad, and 3rd place Mongol Derby finisher. We talk about what it means to hang up the saddle after a career in the arena, chase freedom on the Mongolian steppe, and keep going after hard things even when you’ve already got the belt buckles to prove yourself. From the rodeo halls of fame to a quiet moment of clarity in the middle of nowhere, Cowboy shares a raw, honest look at a life well ridden.

Oh! And how to win the derby:)

Key topics we discussed:

• What life after rodeo looks like, and why Josh says retirement came at the perfect time.

• Getting drugged up a Mongolian hill by SJO , horse in tow, tied to her saddle.

• The Mongol Derby: the heartbreak, the donkeys, the glory, and what it taught him about letting go of control.

• Why finishing third meant more than winning, and how that ride became a cornerstone of his cowboy legacy.
• The powerful role of rodeo brotherhood and the unseen emotional moments that defined the Derby for him.