ProRodeo Sports News - January 20, 2023

fickle the sport he loves can be.

qualifications already to his credit, the São Paulo native cleared $2 million after earning more than $600,000 over the last two seasons alone. While there are big prizes out there to capture at rodeos across the United States and Canada, much of what got each of these cowboys to $2 million was smaller checks at smaller rodeos. A few hundred dollars here, a couple thousand dollars there – eventually, it adds up. And that’s what keeps each of these competitors going. The focus isn’t on career earnings or reaching some historic figure – their attention is always on the next rodeo. “I’m happy and proud of it, but it doesn’t change anything. I don’t really think about that,” Nogueira said. “Every time January comes, I think about the next year. I’m very thankful to look back and see all the blessings and the great things I’ve done, but there’s always a new day

MONEY MAKERS Cowboys moving past $2 million and $3 million in earnings in 2022: Clay Tryan ...................... $3,196,105 Sage Kimzey .................... 3,047,593 Stetson Wright ................ 2,382,950 Hunter Herrin .................. 2,173,035 Junior Nogueira ............... 2,121,731 Caleb Smidt ..................... 2,085,462 Brady Minor ..................... 2,071,793 Jacobs Crawley ............... 2,061,360 Wade Sundell .................. 2,035,123

“It’s such a tough sport, especially for a living. I think it would be a lot easier sport if you didn’t have to win to play it, but then I don’t know if a guy’s internal drive or killer instinct or whatever you want to call it, I don’t know if it’s the same if you don’t have to win to survive,” Herrin said. “Definitely been times in my career where it’s been win to survive. I’ve been fortunate enough that I’ve been able to do that to continue my career, and it isn’t without the help of a lot of people behind the scenes who aren’t sponsors on my shirt.” While guys like Herrin and Crawley have taken longer paths to $2 million, Junior Nogueira calls his journey to the mark a true blessing. The Brazilian standout has only been

competing in PRCA events since 2014 but has wasted no time in setting a high standard. With three world titles (two team roping heeling, one all-around) and nine NFR

and we get to do it again and keep pushing forward.”

Jackie Jensen photo Veteran tie-down roper Hunter Herrin, fresh off earning $143,843 at the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, is now over $2 million in career earnings.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/20/2023

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