2020 Wrangler NFR Round 5 Event Program

HEELING SEASON LEADER

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

For the first time, the four-time Finals qualifier enters the Wrangler NFR in the top spot and hopes to finish as No. 1.

Harrison eager to chase first world title

The moment won’t be too big for Joseph Harrison when the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo begins on Dec. 3 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The four-time Finals qualifier has gained confidence roping in the NFR the last three years and stood strong under the bright lights of The American in March even without his full-time heading partner, Wyatt Imus. Harrison hauled in a $103,000 payday – $53,000 of that in official money – at The American while paired with Luke Brown, and the two will be backing into the roping boxes together again for the 10-day season finale after their partners failed to finish among the Top 15. It’s a bittersweet situation for both team ropers, but Harrison is confident and hoping for the best. “It’s unfortunate neither of our partners ended up making the Finals, and we’d like for them to be there with us,” said Harrison, of Marietta, Okla. “It was kind of the same deal (at The American), and we were the odd men out, so, we wound up together. I’d like for this to go as well as that did.” Because of that March windfall, Harrison and Brown enter this year’s Wrangler NFR in the No. 1 positions in their respective events. Harrison is confident in his temporary header – a 13-time NFR qualifier and three-time average champ – heading into the Texas crescendo. “Luke’s had an awesome career and has won a ton,” said Harrison, who finished a career-best sixth in the world last year. “It doesn’t really matter the setup, he wins good at every setup. He makes them easier to look at and easier to

heel, so I feel pretty fortunate.” Harrison said his experience from the last three Wrangler NFRs will help keep his nerves at a minimum. “It’s just like anything else, if you’re a baseball player and you’ve been exposed very little to Big League-type games, the first couple of games are unnerving,” said Harrison, who will primarily ride his steady horse, Mainstreet Boon. “Once you’ve been to several big events and chased steers for a lot of mon- ey, the new part of that wears off a bit to where you’re back to it being the same old deal where you have a job at hand and have to do your job.” As far as an approach, Harrison expects his tandem to be aggressive, espe- cially during the first half of the rodeo. “I think we should go at the first five or six steers just like we’re roping for money and trying to make a living,” Harrison said. “Then, after that, you can kind of step back and see what’s happening. I think that you don’t even look back until you mess one up. Instead of roping timid trying to catch all the steers, let’s just rope for a living and try to make money.” Even though it will be his fourth time competing in the Finals, Harrison still cherishes the opportunity. “It’s every kid’s dream who has anything to do with rodeo to make the National Finals Rodeo,” he said. – Neal Reid

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO 15