A couple of years ago when I asked Allen Bach about doing an interview for the newspaper, he immediately suggested interviewing some of the wives, especially those that go with their husband all the time. He thought it would be interesting and that a lot of people didn’t know how hard the wives worked and how much they contributed to their husband’s success. I thought he was pretty cool for that, because “the women behind the men” are seldom recognized for their hard work and participation of the “team.”
So for the last couple of years whenever I would see Peggy Bach, I would mention doing an interview with her. None of the wives I’ve approached about an interview have actually declined, but they aren’t quite as enthusiastic as their husbands usually are.
Peggy and Allen both are happy and friendly people and I’ve respected them for a long time. There are not many couples that stay married for twenty-five years, much less raise four children by way of a rodeo career.
Last year Cactus Ropes scheduled a photo shoot at Allen’s place along with a big cookout. Someone had organized “the cacti” into teams and each team had to play baseball, throw horseshoes, rope goats and rope steers. The team who scored the most points was the winner. It was a lot of fun and while I was watching the baseball I noticed that Allen and Peggy’s kids, even the smallest, were playing like it was the World Series. I wonder if there’s a roping household anywhere that competitiveness doesn’t run rampant.
After a year or two of Peggy and I talking about the interview every time we saw each other; I called her and said let’s go ahead and do it. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself and found a real friend. Peggy is an exceptional person. We sat in her kitchen and visited (the interview) and then went to lunch. We had a good time and agreed to get together more often. That may not happen very often with schedules being what they are, but I know she’ll be the same friend the next time I see her – no matter how much time goes by.
Peggy and Allen have been married for twenty-five years this October and have four children: April, 19; Erica, 16; Joel, 13 and Tyler, 9.

TF: How did you and Allen meet?
PB: My brother introduced us at the lake when I was sixteen and the next day we went to a roping. He started spending more time in California and calling and stopping by more often. We had a lot in common and had a lot of fun. I graduated from high school in 1977 and we were married in 1978.
After we were married, I went everywhere with him. I loved being outside with the horses and helping him by turning steers for him, or helping him drive. At the time I hadn’t traveled very much and it was fun. We met people all over the states and have a lot of friends all over and up in Canada. We used to have “winter camps” and roping schools at our house. Through the years we’ve made a lot of neat friendships. I really felt fortunate to get to travel to so many places and meet so many people.

TF: It’s hard to explain to someone who’s not familiar with the rodeo way of life, just how much cowboys depend on each other in their travels. I’ve had friends that couldn’t believe people would just show up at our house and none of us thought anything about it.
PB: It makes more of a pioneer out of you with the all night drives and not getting to shower when you want. I love to see a woman who will get out there side by side, helping her husband and will get her hands dirty and doesn’t care if her hair’s a mess.
It seems that women who have rodeoed have learned to be tougher and they don’t care if they break a nail or their hair’s a mess; they’re okay with. They can still dress up and be feminine.
My brother is a year and a half older and growing up with him made me tougher because I did whatever he did. He didn’t baby me or give me a chance to be a sissy. I loved him for that and still do.
It’s neat to see couples that help each other and will take up the slack for the other if needed. I know Jennifer (Williams) is like that and so is Londa (Pogue). There are a lot of wives that really help their husbands a lot; Rod Lyman’s wife, Stephanie, is one. They’re team players and great teammates for their husbands. That doesn’t mean the guys couldn’t do it without them, I just don’t think they would be as successful.

TF: I agree, women are very tuned in to taking care of their husbands and families and they just get things done.
PB: I gave my mom a plaque once that said, “Behind every successful man, there’s an exhausted woman.” My dad is a little more reserved, where my mom is very outgoing and busy. She talks more about in depth things and was always the one to read devotions and the Bible to us.
I’ve got wonderful parents and I’m really thankful for them. My mom has an awesome outlook on life and has always been like my best friend.
As far as a role model or having someone you’d like to be more like, it would have to be her. She’s one of those people who’s not judgmental, doesn’t talk about people and tries to overlook people’s faults. She’s real positive and always used to tell me, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

TF: How do you manage a hectic rodeo career with four kids?
PB: When my kids were little we lived in California and my family is there so my mom and dad were always there to help me with the kids. I have two sisters and a brother and our kids all grew up together.
When I look back at it now, I don’t think I could have done it without them. They just kind of held me together when Allen was gone and the kids were small. When kids get bigger its not as bad, because they’re doing their own things and don’t require as much of your time.
Back then I’d go and hang out with my family for the weekend and it was nice because I didn’t have to worry about the kids messing anything up because grandparents don’t care. You can’t just go to anyone’s house with four kids. We would do a lot of fun stuff like camping, and it didn’t matter if the kids got dirty.

TF: So when your kids came along, it slowed you down quite a bit?
PB: I went quite a bit when April was little and then when Erica came it slowed me down a little more. With each kid it got slower and slower. I don’t go now like I used to but I still try to get away, just the two of us, for a few days sometimes.

TF: What is the hardest part of what you do?
PB: Now the hardest part, while Allen’s gone, is trying to discipline the kids. You know how kids are; they listen to Dad a lot better. I guess not having the reinforcement of him being here is the hardest part.

TF: How much is he gone now?
PB: Not as much as he used to be before we moved to Texas. But there are times, like now, when he goes to the northwest, that are harder than others. During the summer when his schedule is real busy, the kids and I will go to California and stay a month. We hang out together and go camping and do family stuff.
Allen’s not gone as much as he used to be but still, when he leaves it’s like a piece of you is gone and the kids miss him.

TF: What advice would you give to a new wife of a rodeo cowboy?
PB: Try to enjoy your husband and be a good friend and helpmate to him. That’s really the way God designed marriage. And don’t keep score in your marriage, or your friendships.
I know all women can’t go with their husbands for different reasons. But every chance you get go with your husband and be with him, get to know him better and be a good team player. Find the things that you both like to do and enjoy each other.
Allen and I will play golf together and we’ve played some tennis. I’m really competitive and we’re always competing. He can beat me at some things and I can beat him at some things. Enjoy your husband and make him your best friend. Inevitably, there will be times when things get tough, but if you dwell on the good times and the positive things; you’ll definitely get through it.

TF: What is the hardest part of being a rodeo wife?
PB: Probably having the extra responsibilities it brings and being at home alone. It makes a tougher person of you and makes you more responsible. It also makes you more appreciative of your husband when they’re home.

TF: What would be a perfect date for you and Allen?
PB: One of the most fun times was when we went to Monterey for our anniversary. I love the ocean and we walked on the beach and ate out all the time. It was nice getting to do that and getting away from the demands of every day life.

TF: If you got up one day and had absolutely nothing to do – what would you do?
PB: Probably just ride. When I was growing up I loved to ride and horses were my love. Nobody ever had to tell me to go ride my horse. My dad worked with colts and he’d work with them for the first thirty or sixty days and then I’d work with them for the last week or so. There was a river not far away that when you crossed it, you could ride forever and I really loved that.
Now it seems there’s never enough time to do that anymore. I enjoy going to garage sales and thrift stores. I’m not a mall shopper but I like to hunt for bargains and looking at antiques, you just never know what little treasure you might find.

TF: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
PB: Probably be more organized. That’s something I’m always scrambling to do. You think you’ve got it mastered and then it goes to pot. There are some people you can look at and think, “Man they’ve really got it so together, they’re so organized.” I don’t know how they do it.
But I think it’s important to like yourself and be happy with who you are. Not that you don’t strive to be better, but you can’t always be dissatisfied either because that can drive you crazy. We need to do the best we can and better our life little by little.

TF: In your opinion what is your best quality?
PB: Over the years I’ve learned to be more flexible and to go with the flow when plans change. I try to enjoy people and make them feel welcome in our home.

TF: Looking back, if you could do anything differently in your life, what would it be?
PB: If I could have been more outgoing in school I would have. I think when you’re not outgoing you miss out on a lot. I love sports but because I was shy, I didn’t participate and instead went home and helped my dad ride horses.

TF: These days what gives you the greatest satisfaction?
Helping people and seeing them benefit from it. Whether it’s giving of yourself, financially, or your time or energy. There have been people over the years that were so good to us, and shared with us or had us over to dinner. A lot of those people you never get to see again or have a chance to thank them, but you can return those favors to other people.

TF: If you could instill one thing in your kids that would stay with them the rest of their life, what would it be?
PB: Of course my biggest desire for all my kids is for them to know the Lord as their personal savior. I know they’re going to have troubles and trials like everyone does and by having a personal relationship with the Lord, they’ll get through whatever kinks life throws their way.
There’s a saying I tell my kids, “An attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” In life it’s our attitude that makes or breaks us and I remind them of that.