ProRodeo Sports News - Feb. 4, 2022

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How did you get your start in rodeo? Tanner: My whole family has rodeoed throughout my life, so I guess you could say I grew up doing it. We ranch out here in California and run a bunch of cattle. I played a bunch of sports growing up, but it was rodeo that stuck with me. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? Tanner: Honestly, I don’t think I ever set out to make a career and living out of rodeo. I think over the years it just kind of went that way for me and I’m glad to be making money doing something that I love. What do you like the most about rodeo? Tanner: I think one of the things I like the most is just being around everybody, all my friends rodeo. I also love being able to travel and see different places and compete in a different arena almost every night. Why did you decide team roping would be your event? Tanner: I started steer wrestling and in high school I thought that was the direction I wanted to go. But it just didn’t end up working out and my family has always roped. My dad was a team roper and we always had roping horses around the house, so team roping just kind of fell into my lap and I went with it. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this year? Tanner: I wanted to wait until I thought I had a chance to compete for the (Resistol) Rookie of the Year, you only get one chance at it. This year I feel like everything is coming together for me and so I decided to buy my card. Who is someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? Team roping header Tanner James had been waiting for the right time to buy his PRCA card and the 2022 ProRodeo season has proved to be the right time. The 25-year-old started the season with a bang, winning the second round with heeler Wyatt Cox at the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo. James currently leads the Resistol Rookie of the Year standings in the heading category with $6,964 earned this season.

TANNER JAMES

Tanner: I don’t think there’s one person in particular that I look up to the most right now. There’s a lot of great headers out there and I try to watch what each of them do to be great. I think it also makes me want to be that much better. What’s this season been like for you so far? Tanner: It’s been really good for me so far. It all got started at the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo and now I’m trying to keep that momentum going. How can you build off your early season success? Tanner: I’ve been taking each rodeo for what it is and trying to get in as many as I possibly can. My goal is to go out there and do my job and try to turn every steer that I can. What your favorite TV show? Tanner: I’m a big fan of the show The Ranch on Netflix, it’s pretty good. I watch it quite a bit when I can. What’s your favorite candy? Tanner: I think my favorite candy is probably Snickers. It’s hard not to like the chocolate and caramel. What was the first vehicle you drove? Tanner: I think the first vehicle I drove was my grandpa’s 1989 Dodge, it was a first gen. What do you do when you’re not rodeoing? Tanner: I like to go out hunting and fishing whenever I get the chance. I’m also a big fan of riding side-by-sides and motorcycles when I’m at home. What’s your favorite holiday?

Tanner: Between Christmas and Thanksgiving that’s a tough one. I think I’ll go with Thanksgiving though because I like eating a lot of food and being around my family. What was your favorite cartoon growing up? Tanner: I think Tom and Jerry was probably my favorite cartoon growing up, heck I still like it to this day. What is your favorite sports team? Tanner: I don’t follow it as close as I used to, but I still like football quite a bit. I’m a New England Patriots fan.

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