ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 21, 2018

IN HIS OWN WORDS

BRIDGER CHAMBERS

Steer wrestler Chambers takes advantage in Wrangler NFR debut In his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, steer wrestler Bridger Chambers took second in the average and finished second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Chambers entered the Finals in eighth place in the world standings. He made $135,584 over the 10-day rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Not bad for someone who before this season had never made more than $8,000 on the PRCA rodeo trail. Chambers, who turned 30 on Dec. 21, lives in Butte, Mont. Kissimmee, Fla., (where he won more than $17,000) was kind of the determining factor in trying to give it a shot to qualify for the Wrangler NFR. The family all had to have a sit-down discussion and figure out what that was going to look like. I had responsibilities with the job I do with my dad, so we were trying to figure that out. As far as the family being supportive, they were all on board. It was still tough, being away from them. The two little ones knew I was going rodeoing, but I

don’t think they understood what the end goal was. For the older ones, I think they understood it. Now, with going to the Finals, they see what can happen and why it’s worth it. I guess I didn’t feel many butterflies, not too nervous as far as hoping I didn’t screw up on that first run. I backed in the box and seemed calm until I nodded my head. Then, that’s when a wave of adrenaline came. I had to focus on just going to get to the horns. That was the biggest rush of emotions, that first time I cracked my head. When the average pays $67,000, you could win that in three rounds, and we had 10 of them to run at. That was our thing, to keep running at it and figure it out at the end of the week. Wherever you end up that’s where you’re at. Go at each one like it’s the last one. At the Finals, I rode Rusty, Dakota Eldridge’s horse. It was awesome. It was something where I only had to worry about myself because I knew he was going to do his job. He’d been there a bunch of times; a lot of people have been on him. I didn’t have to worry if he was going to run or work. It was back in the box and take care of my job. The plan is to go hard again. I’ve got the money saved up – I’ll use some to pay bills – and then try to do it again, because I can’t think of a better way to make money than to do something you love.

T he NFR is a long couple of weeks. My wife had to remind me my birthday was coming up. I hadn’t realized it. The entire NFR experience was amazing. My first trip down that tunnel was something I’ll never forget. Being able to ride out into the arena and seeing my family sitting in the stands every night was pretty cool. Every time I took a lap during the opening, my dad was standing up whipping his hat in a circle. It was hard to miss him. I would wave at him and my family. My wife, Kristen, and two younger kids, Crewe, 4, and Case, 3, were there every night. The two older kids, Maddie, 13, and Hudson, 11, came later because they were in school. Every time I rode out, I was sure to wave at them. This season was different. I think it just started with a different mind-set about this time last year, trying to get ready for everything. The way it turned out was never expected. I didn’t plan on going hard. But those things change. I don’t know that we did anything differently, but you have little goals and they help you reach those bigger ones. Coming in second at the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo in

Not licensed to use PRCA marks

ProRodeo Sports News 12/21/2018

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