ProRodeo Sports News - Jan. 21, 2022

PRORODEO WINNINGS

along the way is probably what is so special about that to me. It’s pretty dang unique.” He wasn’t the only cowboy to make the leap this past season, Tuf Cooper also joined him on the list. The four-time PRCAWorld Champion (2011- 2012, 2014, 2017) joins fellow tie-down ropers Trevor Brazile, Cody Ohl, and FredWhitfield on the all-time earnings list. He said it wouldn’t be possible without those who have come before him in the sport. “We owe so much to all the past generation before us who have made it possible,” said Cooper, the 2017 PRCA All-AroundWorld Champion. “To be able to think we can put a cowboy hat on and do something for a living is remarkable. I never would’ve imagined winning $3 million when I started out in this sport. I owe a lot of this to people throughout our entire industry.” There comes a point in every cowboy’s career where they realize they have

career had started when mine did there’s no telling how much he would end up earning,” said Cooper about his brother-in-law. “It would be even more if his career started today. It just seems like the sport is flourishing with opportunity and it sure is a good time to be a rodeo cowboy.” The accomplishments along the way of their outstanding careers will forever hold a spot in the history books, but they said it’s more about the memories they’ve made with those they care about the most. “It’s something that’s special to me and my wife to have this experience with our kids,” Feild said. “I don’t really remember my dad riding. I just remember when we’d go to the rodeos you would understand that he was a world champion, but other than that he was just dad. That’s what’s most important to me and my kids. Just being their dad and being there whenever they need me.”

the talent to have a successful career. With a family legacy that runs deep in the sport that moment came sooner than most for Feild. “Probably in 2010 is when I realized my capabilities,” Feild said. “That’s when I really understood what I could do, how great it would be, and how long it would last. It was about 2010 right before I won my first PRCAWorld Championship. From that point on I’ve worked on my craft each and every day.” There has been plenty of lessons learned along the way for these two lifelong cowboys Cooper feels like it was something he learned early on that led to him a successful ProRodeo career up to this point. “I think one of the most important things I’ve learned in my career is to not let a bad run get you down,” Cooper said. “I just had to stay optimistic on the opportunity that I had in front of me each and every day. “Within a day or two or sometimes even within a few hours you get another opportunity to go out there and be better. You know the road can be hard, but I think my favorite thing about it is the opportunity that it provides every single day. You can’t let anything hold a cowboy down.” Feild and Cooper are still chasing the King of the Cowboys Brazile. He won a PRCA record breaking $7,058,200 in his career. They said they have the utmost respect for Brazile and the body of work he put together during his historic stretch of rodeo. “I’ve always looked up to Trevor and will continue to,” Feild said. “I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for him, and his numbers are truly unbelievable. Not to only win a significant amount in a single event but to do it in two then three and four that takes a once in a lifetime human being. That guy is just an unbelievable competitor.” Cooper couldn’t agree more with that statement. “Trevor has $7 million but shoot if his

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee

winning $231,564. Kaycee Field, Tuf Cooper pass historic earnings mark $3 Million Men Kaycee Feild acknowledges the crowd after receiving his back number for the 2021 Wrangler NFR presented by Teton Ridge.

BY TANNER BARTH T he $3 million mark is one that’s rarely surpassed in the sport of ProRodeo. In fact, just eight cowboys have ever accomplished the feat to this day. Rodeo superstars Kaycee Feild and Tuf Cooper were the latest contestants to join the illustrious list at the conclusion of the 2021 season. Feild won his sixth PRCA Bareback Riding World Championship (2011-2014, 2020-2021) this past season pushing him over $3 million in earnings over his 15-year ProRodeo career. He won $357,420 last year alone, which included taking home the RAMTop Gun Award at the NFR

He said while it’s never been about the money for him, he’s grateful to be included with such a prestigious group of cowboys.

“That’s pretty unbelievable really,” said Feild, a 12-time Wrangler NFR qualifier. “It’s never really been a goal of mine to hit certain dollar amounts, but that is a pretty small group of people. So, to be a part of that is pretty special and honorable. “If you look at the dollar amount $3 million you know that person in the sport of rodeo has put in the time and definitely has seen some places and been some places. The places that I’ve seen and the people that I’ve met

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Phillip Kitts Tuf Cooper’s decorated PRCA career added another accomplishment when he passed the $3 million mark in career earnings at the 2021 Wrangler NFR presented by Teton Ridge in Las Vegas.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/21/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 1/21/2022

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

36

37