PRORODEO Sports News - November 22, 2024

BAREBACK RIDING Finding his Groove Steiner's ascension leads to strong season

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News R ocker Steiner has been a hard-hitting linebacker, a thrill-seeking wakeboarder and an actor in “Yel lowstone” in 2020. But there is no mistaking who he is now: an elite bareback rider. Steiner finished the 2024 PRORODEO regular season atop the standings with $233,318 in earnings, edging out Keenan Hayes ($219,083). Steiner did not ride a horse until he was 13. At age 20, he aims to win his first world title at this winter’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Nothing seems impossible. Even for him, Steiner’s season became a series of exclamation points as he notched nearly 20 victories with a style that widens eyes and commands attention. He finished fifth in the world in 2023 and captured the Resistol Rookie of the Year Award in 2022. So, his success is not a surprise, but he's reached new levels of consistency. What was the key? “This year was the first year where I was solid all summer long and I had two guys in the truck. That made a huge difference,” Steiner said. “They made me want to stay out on the road, to keep going. They made it a lot better.” With Waylon Bourgeois and Cole Franks in the rig, the camaraderie fostered competition, bringing out the best in them. Bourgeois finished 18th in the standings with Franks checking in at eighth. Steiner, who hails from Weatherford, Texas, found his groove early in 2024, posting impressive victories at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo – 92.5 points on J Bar J’s Straight Stick – and San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo – 89 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Notch. It set the bar for an unforgettable season. With a fearless 90-or-nothing style, Steiner reached or eclipsed that score at the Jim Baier Chute Out Rodeo in Iowa (91.5), Magic Valley Stampede in Idaho (90.5), Sikeston (Mo.) Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo (90) and Douglas County (Colo.) Fair and Rodeo (90). Steiner is a must-watch performer. Part of his ascension in 2024 can be traced back to good fortune.

2024 BAREBACK STANDINGS

1. Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas ........ $233,319 2. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo. ................... 219,083 3. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas .......... 172,955 4. Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah .............. 172,197 5. R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif. ........... 171,420 6. Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan. ......................... 168,154 7. Weston Timberman, Columbus, Mont. ..... 154,100 8. Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas .................. 139,556 9. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho ..................... 139,067 10. Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho .................... 138,363 11. Bradlee Miller, Huntsville, Texas ............. 137,365 12. Cole Reiner, Buffalo, Wyo. ...................... 137,128 13. Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb. ........... 137,096 14. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La. ......... 129,499 15. R. Champion, Stevensville, Mont. .......... 128,965 FROM THE CHAMP “When I went back home (to Hayden, Colo.) I

have been trying to get everything done around the house before the Finals and in that last little bit I will get ready

Bareback rider Rocker Steiner had an 81-point ride on Burch Rodeo’s Cinch on Fire in the first performance of the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, S.D. Steiner earned $32,125 at the rodeo. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee

for the Finals. We are just having fun with this and hopefully it will end up the way I want it to. If I could win gold buckle No. 2 it would be cooler than the first.” – Keenan Hayes Hayes

QUOTABLE “All summer you are out there competing. It can be long, and

“Staying healthy is everybody’s game plan. Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way,” Steiner said. “But staying healthy and avoiding injuries has definitely helped.” Never lacking confidence, Steiner is ready for his third crack at the NFR. He has delivered on the biggest stage, winning three rounds in 2023, while placing in five rounds. He placed in three rounds in 2022. “When you make it to the NFR, there is so much money to win. Everybody is good. It is about who does the best and catches fire at the right time,” Steiner said. Steiner will be ready. There is nothing like the bright lights of the Thomas & Mack Center. “All summer you are out there competing. It can be long, and tough. When you get to Vegas, you feel like a king,” Steiner said. “I always believed I was supposed to be (on this stage). You have to draw good and make the most of the rides. I will be working out pretty much all the time waiting to get back there.”

tough. When you get to Vegas, you feel like a king. I always believed I was supposed to be (on this stage). You have to draw good and make the most of the rides. I will be working out pretty much all the time waiting to get back there.” – Rocker Steiner

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

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