ProRodeo Sports News - August 10, 2018

BEAU NORDAHL out at amateur rodeos, and I think I was lacking a lot of confidence. Then, I started having success at the amateur level, and in 2015 I bought my PRCA permit and decided to go for it. I was only getting older.” In 2016-17, Nordahl earned $5,954 and $4,256, respectively. He’s on the verge of a career high in earnings this season.

As of Aug. 6, Nordahl was in sixth place in the Montana Circuit bull riding standings with $5,197. His big payday came when he captured the title at the NILE Pro Rodeo, Oct. 21, in Billings, Mont., with an 87-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s No. 411. He earned $4,830. “That was the big win for me, and it was great to win there because it is such a big rodeo in our circuit,” Nordahl said. “When you have a big ride at a rodeo like that, nothing beats that feeling. That was the best win of my career. Sage Kimzey and Garrett Smith – the top two bull riders in the world – were there, and I had doubts I was going to win it seeing their names there, but I rode my bull and got the job done.” Outside of the rodeo arena, Nordahl, who lives in Bozeman, Mont., spends most of his time working in the engineering department at Montana Rail Link, a job he has had for six years. “I have a great job, and it allows me to do both, work and rodeo,” Nordahl said. Even though he has a good job, Nordahl never thought about giving up rodeo. “Making a good check in eight seconds, when it works out, is pretty exciting, and also the friends and family that come with rodeo,” Nordahl said. “Some of the best friends I’ve made are in rodeo. It’s a family tradition. My older sister, Brittney, is a barrel racer, and her husband, Heath Ford, is a bareback rider. My cousin, Guy (Nordahl), also rides bulls in the PRCA. My little sister, Brady, just got her PRCA permit this year and she runs barrels. So rodeo is something our family does.” CIRCUIT SYSTEMWORKS FOR NORDAHL With his job at Montana Rail Link, Nordahl doesn’t have time to compete full time in the PRCA, so the circuit system is a perfect fit. “I have winters off from work, so I travel around to rodeos in Denver and Fort Worth (Texas) and a bunch of rodeos in Texas,” he said. “But in the summer, I mostly circuit rodeo so I can work my job because I know rodeo is only going to last so long. My job has really good retirement and benefits, and that’s important to me.” The main rodeo goal for Nordahl is qualifying for the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla. “I want to win the Montana Circuit and make it to Kissimmee,” Nordahl said. “That would be a great accomplishment for me. It would be awesome if I could win a couple of (Montana) circuit titles, I know my dad would be proud of that. I plan on bull riding as long as I’m enjoying it as much as I am now.” Guy, his cousin and fellow bull rider, believes Kissimmee is within reach. “It has been cool watching Beau get hooked and grow as a bull rider, and now he rides well,” said Guy, 25, who qualified for the RAMNCFR last year. “I’m not surprised he’s still competing because I know the love and passion he has for rodeo and bull riding. I encourage him to keep doing it and have fun. He has the talent to get to Kissimmee, and it would be a cool experience for him. I know he could do well down there.” When Beau isn’t working or riding bulls, he has no problem occupying his spare time. He enjoys taking the boat out to the lake, surfing, wakeboarding and tubing. “There’s a lot of stuff outdoors in Montana,” Beau said. “You can go on hikes and go fishing. I grew up going on camping trips with my family and spending a lot of time at the lake. In Montana in the summertime, there’s no better place than out on the lake with your friends.”

Kevin Nordahl, a former standout in the Montana Circuit, competes during the 1988 Calgary Stampede. Bull riding is a family affair as Nordahl’s son, Beau (lower right), and his cousin, Guy Nordahl, left, are bull riders. Beau and Guy are pictured talking before a performance in Baker City, Ore. Photos by David Jennings and courtesy Beau Nordahl

ProRodeo Sports News 8/10/2018

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