ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 22, 2019

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TRACY RENCK

Caleb Anderson is a 29-year-old team roping heeler, who grew up in Mocksville, N.C., and now lives in Lipan, Texas. Anderson bought his PRCA card in 2010 and easily had the best year of his career in 2019, earning $72,390 and qualifying for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo after finishing 13th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Before 2019, Anderson’s best season was in 2018 when he earned $44,863. Anderson, who married his wife, Carrie, Oct. 12, is fired up to compete in the Thomas & Mack Center. He and heading partner Jake Cooper will team up at the Finals. This is Cooper’s third Wrangler NFR qualification.

What does it feel like to make the Wrangler NFR? Caleb: It sinks in every now and again. I don’t think it will really set in until I get inside (the Thomas & Mack Center). I’m really looking forward to Round 1. I’m going to be looking forward to any round, but I’m going to say the first one because it has been a dream to do it and get in that building and compete for 10 nights. How do you calm your nerves to compete at the Wrangler NFR? Caleb: I don’t know yet because I have never been there and I’m not sure what to expect. I’ve just been practicing and trying to get my fundamentals right. I want to be prepared for whatever comes my way at the Finals. We just need to try and do our best every round and see what happens. What was different this year in terms of your push to make the Wrangler NFR? Caleb: Last year was the first year I went start to finish (placing 32nd in the world standings). This year I made it a goal that I was going to rope start to finish again, and I knew what was going on and what I needed to do at the different venues, and what I needed to do at places and it worked out. What led you to team up with Jake Cooper?

CALEB ANDERSON

Caleb: Last year, after I got done roping with Cory Kidd V, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I knew I was going to winter rodeo, but I really didn’t have a partner. There were some jackpots around here in Lipan, where I live now, and Jake had split with his partner. Jake and I roped at some of those jackpots and really hit it off and did good, and we decided to rope this season together. What was it like earning $30,000 at RODEOHOUSTON this season? Caleb: We struggled a little early in the season, but we knew if we kept working at it, things would turn around for us. Then, we hit it big in Houston. (Ty Blasingame/Kyle Lockett won RODEOHOUSTON with a 5.0-second run in the championship shootout round; Cooper/Anderson placed second with a 5.3-second run in the Championship Shootout and earned $20,000 of their $30,000 at the rodeo). After Houston is when I knew we had a shot to qualify for the NFR. Thank God for Houston counting again (in the world standings). That gave us a big boost, and we just kept pecking along and ended up getting it done (qualifying for the Wrangler NFR). What’s your favorite restaurant? Caleb: I would say Texas Roadhouse. I get a steak, baked potato and sweet tea if they have it, if not, I get a Dr Pepper. If cellphones didn’t exist, how would that impact you? Caleb: It would not change things for me much at all. I don’t do much with social media at all anymore. I figured if I was on social media, I could be out roping a dummy or doing some kind of work. What’s the last concert you attended? Caleb: I went to a couple of concerts when I was in Houston at the rodeo, and honestly Cardi B was pretty dang cool to watch. I’m not really into that type of music, but her concert was a neat experience. What’s your favorite holiday? Caleb: I’m going to say Christmas. We get together with all the family and it is a good time for sure. You grew up in NASCAR country, did you ever consider the NASCAR path? Caleb: I never really was into NASCAR. It’s funny that you say NASCAR because my wife’s brother is married to Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s youngest daughter, Taylor. What prompted you to move to Texas?

Caleb: It was a better situation for my rodeo career. Now, we are living at a spot in Lipan at Luke Brown’s place, and he has been really great for me. He’s my Texas family. I couldn’t be more blessd to have him. (Brown, a team roping header, is a 12-time qualifier for the Wrangler NFR – 2008-19).

What do you enjoy doing when you are not rodeoing? Caleb: I like to hunt. My favorite thing to hunt is whitetail deer. I haven’t been hunting as much since I moved to Texas, but it is something I enjoy doing. What’s your favorite movie? Caleb: Lonesome Dove. That’s the coolest Western there is.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2019

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