2020 Wrangler NFR Round 4 Event Program

HEADING SEASON LEADER

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

The Rock Hill, S.C., header has his sights set on claiming an elusive gold buckle at his 13th consecutive Wrangler NFR.

Brown ready for world championship battle

and 2015. He thinks he and Harrison have what it takes to challenge for the average crown and gold buckles this year. “I bet if I can turn all 10 of them, it’ll work out pretty good,” said Brown, who banked $53,000 in official money for The American triumph. “I’ve been fortunate the last 12 years to have partners so good that it’s on my shoulders how well I do there. If I rope good, I have a good Finals, and if I don’t, it’s all my fault. “I feel like it’ll be that way this year.” A new venue means a longer barrier—an extra two feet, according to Brown—and he said it could take a couple rounds for the Top 15 teams to adjust to a different look at the Wrangler NFR. “It’s a different start, a different run and is more of a regular-season rodeo type of run than a typical NFR run,” Brown said. “The steers are probably going to come left a little more because the barrier is longer and the arena’s so wide. You’re going to have to have a pretty open mind how to go about it.” Just being able to have a championship finale at all, given all the cancel- lations in sports due to COVID-19, is a blessing for Brown and his fellow Wrangler NFR contestants. “I think we’re the luckiest sports people alive,” Brown said. “My hat’s off to the PRCA and everybody who made this happen, and it’s going to be one of the best NFRs ever. There are so many people looking forward to it, and I think it’s going to be the greatest thing that could have happened.” – Neal Reid

Team roper Luke Brown is hoping 13 proves to be a lucky number for him in December. The Rock Hill, S.C., header will enter the 2020Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 3-12 atop the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $89,665, about $20,000 ahead of two-time and reigning World Champion Clay Smith. It will be Brown’s 13th consecutive Wrangler NFR, and he has his sights set on claiming an elusive gold buckle. “It’s a good feeling (to be No. 1) in a weird year,” said Brown, the reserve world champion in 2009, 2013 and 2015. “Whatever happens at the Finals, it takes a lot of luck to win the world. A lot of practice and a little bit of luck, that’s what it takes. If I rope good that week, that’d be great (to win), but to have a good Finals and have enough money to survive another year is the ultimate goal.” If he’s going to become a world champion, Brown will have to do it without his full-time partner, two-time World Champion Patrick Smith, who finished 21st in the world standings. Luckily for Brown, he’ll be paired with the world’s top heeler Joseph Harrison, with whom he wonThe American in March. “Patrick roped great all year, and we dang sure didn’t get the lucky breaks when we needed them,” said Brown, who has finished in the top three in the world six times. “I’m very fortunate to be able to rope with (Joseph), and we’ve become good friends the last few years. He’s phenomenal at what he does and is in his prime, and I just need to do my job.” The 46-year-old Brown wonWrangler NFR average titles in 2010, 2013

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO 15