The ProRodeo Sports News - March 6, 2020

RAM CIRCUIT SPOTLIGHT FIRST FRONTIER

ABOUT ERIC NAME: Eric Fabian HOMETOWN: Gansevoort, N.Y. EVENT: Team Roping (Header) CIRCUIT: First Frontier BEST SEASON: $16,601 (2018) NOTABLE: Three-time First Frontier Circuit year-end champion (2015, 2018-19); four- time RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo winner (2013, 2015, 2017-18) 2019 WINS: Thunder Road Pro Rodeo in Barre, Vt. (Oct. 6, Oct. 7); Adirondack Stampede Rodeo in Glens Falls, N.Y.; RAM FFCFR in Harrisburg, Pa.; Goshen (Conn.) Stampede (June 15, June 16); and the Painted Pony Championship Rodeo in Lake Luzerne, N.Y. (June 29, July 12, Aug. 10)

Front Runner Gym teacher Eric Fabian leads circuit Renee Deal photo Eric Fabian, a P.E. teacher in New York, is a frequent leader in the First Frontier Circuit as a team roping header.

BY MATT NABER E ric Fabian’s P.E. students have learned about every sport he knows, except for one – rodeo. “None of them have seen me compete,” Fabian said. When he’s not in the arena, he’s in the gym – an elementary school gym – where he teaches kindergarten through fifth grade as well as adaptive physical education for kids with various disabilities. He also coaches high school track. “I went into that field (teaching) so I could have the summers off so I could rodeo,” Fabian said. “In the Northeast, the busy time is July and August, and I’m off from teaching so I can rodeo. I don’t get as much time off as I would like to, but so far the plan has worked out.”

Fabian has turned his team roping hobby into a ProRodeo career that’s brought in more than $70,000 in prize money. Since 2011 he’s been among the top five team roping headers for the First Frontier Circuit, finishing first the last two seasons. Fabian will return to the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., April 2-4, with longtime friend Jake Edwards as his partner. “It’s always one of my favorite rodeos to go to, and it’s nice to go to Florida when it’s cold in New York,” Fabian said. “The best guys from the circuits are there, so it’s tough competition.” Competing at the RAMNCFR is on par with making it to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, according to Edwards. “I feel like every time I back into the box we have a

ProRodeo Sports News 3/6/2020

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