ProRodeo Sports News - October 29, 2021

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Eli: Growing up my dad and my uncle always roped, and I’ve just always been around it. But to tell you the truth I never had much interest in it until I got into high school. Then it took off for me after that point. When did you know you could make a career out of the sport of rodeo? Eli: Going to roping events and actually being able to compete and draw a check here and there. That right there is what told me I could compete with them. And once I figured out, I could compete with them I wasn’t scared to go out there and enter anywhere against them. Why did you decide tie-down roping would be your event? Eli: Everyone I know down here does tie-down roping. That’s what I’ve always done. All the rodeo resources I have and the people around me rope calves. I think one of the things that drew me to it is because it’s all on me and my horse. I don’t have to depend on someone else doing their job as well. What was this past season like for you? Eli: It was an awesome season for me, I felt like I learned a ton. I went to Woodward (Okla.) on my permit and won second. It gave me a little bit of money to go out and rodeo. Then I was able to put it all together and qualify for the circuit finals. I can’t wait to get out there this upcoming season. Why did you decide to get your permit last year? Eli: It seemed everyone was hounding me to get it and I thought I might as well. My plan was to go to five or 10 rodeos close to home and see if I could make the circuit finals. It all just worked out and I ended up making it my first year. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Eli: I did team roping for a while, but I never enjoyed it quite as much as tie-down roping. I did a little bit of it in college and that’s about it. Is there someone you look up to in the sport of rodeo? Eli: I’ve always liked watching Trevor Brazile not only because he ropes so good, but his horsemanship is outstanding. He gets the most out of his horses no matter what event he’s competing in. What’s one rodeo you want to win in your career? Rookie tie-down roper Eli Barger, 21, purchased his PRCA permit in May, with hopes of making a splash in ProRodoeo. He wasted no time making his impact felt, he brought home $5,114 from Woodward, Okla. in his second PRCA rodeo. The Anadarko, Okla., cowboy, qualified for his first RAM Prairie Circuit Finals in October and took home the average title with 32.4 seconds on three head.

ELI BARGER

Eli: I’m going to go enter the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo next summer and that’s one rodeo I’ve always watched. So, it would be a dream come true to win there, I’m really looking forward to it. What’s your go-to restaurant when you’re out on the road? Eli: Any kind of Mexican food, I absolutely love Mexican food. Chicken enchiladas are my go-to dish. What’s your go-to movie or TV-show? Eli: I would have to say Longmire is probably my favorite TV series, The Cowboys with John Wayne is my favorite movie. What was the make of your first car? Eli: It was a 1997 Chevrolet Z71, I still drive it every now and then. I think it has around 230,000 miles on it. When you’re not rodeoing what do you enjoy doing for fun? Eli: I love to hunt and fish anytime I can. Before I started roping, I was

always outside doing something. What’s your favorite holiday? Eli: I’d probably have to say Christmas, my birthday is right around then as well. So, I get to celebrate a little bit of everything. What type of music do you like listening to? Eli: I’d say mainly country music, but I’ll listen to just about anything going down the road to keep me sane.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/29/2021

ProRodeo.com

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