ProRodeo Sports News - April 28, 2023

After winning five titles over a six-year span between 1993-98, Mortensen kept coming close to another but ultimately fell short. In 2002, he entered the NFR with a lead in the season standings, only to be overtaken by travel companion and longtime friend Glen O’Neill. The next year, he returned the favor. “In 2003, the tables were kind of reversed. I think Glen went in leading the standings and I was able to have a good Finals and pass

the ranch lifestyle.

“(My rodeo career) is almost like it’s a different life to me. I’ve got three young kids, my youngest is nine, and I really enjoy being able to be home and spend time with them. I look back at my rodeo career and it was fabulous, and I loved it. But it was a long time ago and a lot has changed since then.” – DAN MORTENSEN

“(My rodeo career) is almost like it’s a different life to me,” Mortensen said. “I’ve got three young kids, my youngest is nine, and I really enjoy being able to be home and spend time with them. I look back at my rodeo career and it was fabulous, and I loved it. But it was a long time ago and a lot has changed since then.” And while he’s not hitting the road like he did 20 years ago as a competitor, Mortensen still makes his way to the occasional

him. I kind of reversed the tables,” Mortensen said with a laugh. “We’re pretty good friends, so I think it was all in good fun and you kind of root for each other.” The next year, Mortensen missed out on the chance to defend his title as a broken ankle late in the season sidelined him. In 2008, he officially retired from the sport, a seven-time world champion. A year later, he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Rodeo was fun and, while it’s not a major part of his life, it still is fun. He sometimes visits his junior college alma mater, Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., to provide coaching insights during roughstock practice sessions. But his biggest joy is in watching his three kids grow up and develop a love for

PRCA event each year. His time in the sport was special and he reached unprecedented heights along the way. He’s looking forward to the day when someone else can savor the experience like he did. “It’s fun to watch the young guys coming up. I enjoy that. I enjoy watching the guys that are rodeoing right now. There’s just a bunch of talented saddle bronc riders. It’s neat to see,” Mortensen said. “I’m encouraged with the quality of the guys competing now. It makes me believe this sport has a bright future. I think this sport is in good hands right now.”

PRCA ProRodeo file photo Saddle bronc rider Dan Mortensen had an 85.5-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Wasp Dip in Round 8 of the 2003 NFR. Mortensen won the world title with $219,999. He edged Glen O’Neill by just over $4,000.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/28/2023

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