ProRodeo Sports News - June 7, 2024

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Bryce: I started rodeoing when I was probably eight or nine years old. For me it began with junior rodeos and progressed to junior high events, then to the high school rodeos and jackpots. It took off from there into the PRCA rodeos. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? Bryce: There really wasn’t a moment it clicked. I just felt like this was something I should do for a long time and I kind of went with the flow. I started going to a few open ropings and was competing against some of the pros and not doing too bad. So, I decided I should probably do it. Why did you decide tie-down roping would be your event? Bryce: I team roped and calf roped through junior high and high school. As the years went on calf roping was kind of more my deal. I thought it was more fun to compete in. There’s nothing like getting off and tying one down fast. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Bryce: I have always team roped and calf roped as I said before. I also did a little bit of chute dogging when I was younger. One of these days I’d like to give steer wrestling a try but right now it’s not my top priority. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this season? Bryce: I stayed on my Permit for two years and didn’t really feel like rushing into it. I was looking for more horsepower the last couple years and I feel like I finally got the set of horses I needed heading into this year. So, I thought why not now. What have you learned during your Resistol Rookie season? Bryce: I feel like I have learned a ton honestly. So far, I’ve learned that you really have to be on top of your entering as a pro and you always have to be as prepared as possible. You never know what’s going to happen when you’re out there rodeoing. Who’s someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? Bryce Derrer, 22, spent two seasons on his PRORODEO permit before hitting the road as a full-time professional in 2024. The wait has paid off for the Portales, N.M., tie-down roper during his Resistol Rookie campaign. Derrer’s biggest payday this season came at the San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo, where he pocketed $4,714 for the top-10 finish. He currently leads the Resistol Rookie of the Year race in tie-down roping with $33,650.

BRYCE DERRER

Bryce: I look up to Richard Newton quite a bit. He’s rodeoed for several years and has kind of taken me under his wing. He’s showed me the ropes in rodeo and helped me enter. I’m also hauling with Brushton Minton this year and he’s been a big help. There are countless others that have helped me along the way as well and I can’t thank them enough. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over? Bryce: I’m going to Calgary this year and it would be pretty cool to win that one. You could put Salinas (Calif.) and Cheyenne (Wyo.) on that list as well. There’s a bunch of them I’d love to win. What’s your favorite movie? Bryce: 8 Seconds is a great movie. I’ve watched it a lot and it never seems to get old. What’s your go-to restaurant before or after a rodeo?

Bryce: It really depends on what our time schedule is. If we are in a hurry, it’s probably going to be a fast-food restaurant but if we have time to sit down it’s usually a steakhouse. If I’m being honest though it usually ends up being a ham and cheese sandwich, so we can get on the road. What’s the first vehicle you drove? Bryce: It was a 1999 Ford 6-speed 3/4 ton. Do you have a favorite candy? Bryce: My go-to is the Reese’s Take 5 with the pretzels in it. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not rodeoing? Bryce: If I’m not working shoeing horses, I’m probably golfing, or I just picked up fishing recently as well.

What’s your favorite holiday? Bryce: I’d have to go with both Christmas and Thanksgiving because of the food, family and fellowship you get to have. What type of music do you like listening to? Bryce: I like listening to old country, rock, rap, you name it. My playlist is really all over the place, it has a little bit of everything.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/7/2024

ProRodeo.com

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