ProRodeo Sports News - April 6, 2018

BRANDON HARRISON

“We knew the talent was always there, the way he can bulldog and catch steers down the arena and make them look good,” said Bobby, who hazes for his son. “But the difference between winning money and looking good is you’ve got to be sharp on the start every single time.” With his 14-year-old horse, Bernie Mac, under him, Brandon has focused on hitting the barrier as quickly as possible. “My dad and I sat down one day and decided that I was going to hit the start and be on top of the barrier, and that’s been the biggest difference,” Brandon said. “No matter what I run or what the steers are, as long as I hit the start I give myself the best opportunity to win.” Brandon took home $2,462 from San Angelo after tying for second in the first round. It’s been his biggest take home of the season. He also won the SWDistrict Fat Stock Show & Rodeo in Lake Charles, La., and tied for first at the Goliad (Texas) County Fair PRCA Rodeo. “The thing is, if he is financially stable, he can make it there (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo) and win the world,” Bobby said. “No doubt in my mind. That’s the caliber of bulldogger he is.”

with the company, working full time.

Valerie also works full time as a teacher. When Brandon rodeos close to home, the trip is a

family event. It always has been.

“I love it,” Valerie said. “It’s just what we do together. I’ve been around rodeo all my life, it’s how I met Brandon. It’s always been a family thing. We’re just continuing it. Our dads rodeoed together, that’s how we met.” And while Braelyn is now into basketball and softball more than rodeo, 2-year-old Brett already takes after his dad. “If I was as much of a cowboy as him I’d be a world champion 10 times over,” Brandon said of Brett. History is repeating itself. “I had him going at an early, early age, at like 4, 5 years old,” Bobby said of Brandon. “I was helping put on clinics with Butch Myers, and he (Brandon) got right in the middle of everything. He was always in the way, so he had no choice but to learn how to do it correctly.” Just like taking care of his family before venturing full time on the rodeo trail. “My hat’s off to him, his priorities for his family values are definitely on the right page,” Bobby said. “He would turn out of rodeos to go to his daughter’s ball games. That’s where he thought he needed to be first. He got his priorities right.” And Brandon wouldn’t have it any other way. “Being the soccer dad, I love it,” he said. “I really can’t get enough of it. When it’s time to enter, all the guys around don’t ask me what I got, they ask me what Braelyn is doing these days.”

FAMILYTRADITION LIVES ON

Brandon and his dad don’t just travel and rodeo

together, they also work together.

Bobby is the superintendent at Coastal Sprinkler in Beaumont, a company that specializes in fire sprinkler systems and fire suppression systems. Brandon is a foreman

Steer wrestler Brandon Harrison, from left, with his son, Brett, 2; daughter, Braelyn, 10; and wife, Valerie. Photo courtesy Harrison family

ABOUT BRANDON AGE: 28 HOMETOWN: Beaumont, Texas CIRCUIT: Texas EVENT: Steer wrestling WINS IN 2018: SW District Fat Stock Show & Rodeo, Goliad (Texas) County Fair PRCA Rodeo (tied for first)

ProRodeo Sports News 4/6/18

ProRodeo.com

31