ProRodeo Sports News - August 10, 2018

GRILLE COWBOY

Team roping header BRENTEN HALL, 19, has made an impressive rookie debut, competing with Wrangler NFR qualifier Chase Tryan this season and reaching the top of the PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings with $38,646. After buying his card in March, the Jay, Okla., cowboy is sitting 20th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings, thanks to winning $8,042 at the K-Days Rodeo in Edmonton, Alberta, and $7,306 at the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede.

WITH AMBE BAILLIE PSN

How did you get into rodeo? Brenten: I grew up around it. My mom was a barrel racer and my dad team roped – he’s taught me everything I know about it. I started calf roping when I was about 14. Why did you choose ProRodeo as a career?

Brenten: It’s always been my goal and dream. I love roping and know the only way to be the best is to compete against the best. How did you get connected with Chase Tryan?

Brenten: Through (team roping heeler) Jake Long. He texted me one day and asked if I had a run for winter rodeos. At that time, I was still on my permit and planned on competing at high school rodeos. But instead, I bought my card. I knew I had a good partner who was committed, and my goal is to make the NFR and win Rookie of the Year in the same year. There was no sense in staying on my permit. What do you think is important when deciding who to rope with? Brenten: Someone you get along with well, not just when you’re roping. Sometimes it’s a 10-hour drive from one rodeo to the next and you don’t want to be miserable in the truck while traveling with your partner. Chase and I get along good, we have fun and always find something to talk about.

How are you feeling about the season? Brenten: It’s been good, I’ve made some good money but have made some dumb rookie mistakes. At a few rodeos I’ve gotten ahead of myself and needed to slow down. At Cheyenne (Wyo., Frontier Days) and (at the Snake River Stampede in) Nampa (Idaho), I broke the barrier. That’s where I need to use my head and just go back to the basics. You and Chase each won $8,042 at Edmonton. What was it like to win that much money at a single rodeo? Brenten: Great, especially since I got a late start in the season. I had only $2,000 going into Reno (Nev., Rodeo). Earning those bigger checks has helped me tremendously. What do you do to improve at team roping? Brenten: The roping chemistry between Chase and me is important. During our days off, we’ll head back to Chase’s place in Montana and rope steers. We’ll work on certain things, and communicating with each other is a big deal. Do you have any nicknames? Brenten: I have a lot of nicknames, but one of them is B-Hall, shortening my first name. What inspires you? Brenten: Wanting to win. Winning is everything to me – I guess you could say I have a Ricky Bobby mentality of, ‘If you’re not first, you’re last.’ The money is always good but winning first place is a bigger deal to me than anything. It’s cool to be competing with guys I’ve watched on TV and be placing at rodeos – it’s a confidence booster.

How would you describe your personality? Brenten: Laid back – I typically go with the flow. What’s something you’re particular about?

Brenten: My ropes, I don’t like other people jacking with them. I keep them in the air-conditioned trailer, so they stay cool. I think they feel better that way – heat is hard on everything. If I keep my ropes in good condition I stand a better chance. What do you do to calm your nerves before a performance? Brenten: I listen to a song I like as I’m pulling into the arena. It’ll stay in my head and I’ll start humming it – it keeps my mind at ease. What do you like to do outside of rodeo? Brenten: I like to play basketball with my buddies. I can be kind of a ball hog, so they call me ‘Melo’ for Carmelo Anthony. Header Jeff Flenniken isn’t far behind you in the rookie standings. Are you worried? Brenten: If I lose to him, I would be OK with that because he ropes good and it would be well-deserved. I’m in it to win it, but I also want ProRodeo to grow, so the more rookies the better. What do you think sets ProRodeo apart from other rodeos? Brenten: It’s a superior level. There aren’t just two or three guys who are good, it’s more like 60 or 70. I appreciate the opportunity because I love rodeo. I grew up watching rodeos like Cheyenne (Frontier Days) and now getting to compete at them is just awesome.

BRENTEN HALL

ProRodeo Sports News 8/10/2018

ProRodeo.com

8