ProRodeo Sports News - May 26, 2023

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Will: My dad and my granddad both rodeoed. My dad started when he was about 12 and he was a calf roper. So, I got into calf roping as soon as I could ride a horse and throw a rope. As soon as I could walk and talk, I was out there trying to rope everything in sight with my chicken rope. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Will: When I was a freshman in high school, I went to the UPRA Rodeos for the first time and almost made the finals that year. That showed me that I could get close to competing with some of the best. So, that’s when I started to take it a little more serious. Why did you decide to compete in steer roping? Will: It takes a lot of heart and a lot of cowboy to be a steer roper. I think it’s the event that really shows those skills the most. It requires a unique level of horsemanship that I really love. What’s this season been like for you so far? Will: Well, think of a roller coaster that has every high and every low. It seems like I haven’t been able to string together two good runs in a row. I’m going to focus on being a finisher these next few months instead of a one head guy. Why did you decide to buy your PRCA card this year? Will Eddleman, 22, is one of the youngest steer ropers going down the road. As of May 23, the Santa Anna, Texas, cowboy not only leads the Resistol Rookie Standings, but is sitting 40th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $7,780. Eddleman finished second in the NFSR Permit Section last November.

WILL EDDLEMAN

Will: I had kicked the idea around since I started my freshman year of college, but I wanted to wait until I didn’t have obligations. I didn’t have to be at a college rodeo in August, so my dad said I guess you probably better buy that card, so you have somewhere to be at once the year starts. I said that’s a pretty good idea. Is there someone you look up to in the sport of rodeo? Will: There are two guys in the steer roping world that are my idols. Every kid that wants to be a steer roper has watched videos of Guy Allen and thought that’s what it’s supposed to look like. Scott Snedecor is probably the next highest on my list. He has really helped out a lot of us younger guys in the sport. What’s one rodeo you want to win in your career? Will: I could not care less about winning rodeos, as long as there’s a gold buckle at the end of it for me. I could win second at them all year long just as long as I found a way to win the world.

What’s your go-to restaurant when you’re out on the road? Will: I might get laughed at a bit by the family for this one, but if there’s an Olive Garden in sight I’m pulling in there. If I’m having a bad day, just get me some spaghetti and I’m good to go. What’s your favorite movie or TV show? Will: If I had to go with a TV show, I would probably have to say Gunsmoke . I’ve watched so much of it with my grandad over the years. As far as my favorite movie goes, it’s The Cowboys with John Wayne. There’s nothing else even really close.

What was the make and model of your first vehicle? Will: It was a 1996 three-quarter ton white second-generation Dodge.

What’s your ideal vacation spot? Will: I’ve been begging to go to Hawaii for so long. I’m hoping that if I can make the Finals in Mulvane (Kan.) this year that can be my reward. What type of music do you like listening to? Will: I’m a big fan of old country music. I hang out with a lot of older people, so I think that rubs off on me. My favorite artist would probably have to be Johnny Paycheck.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/26/2023

ProRodeo.com

12