The ProRodeo Sports News - March 6, 2020

chance to win,” Edwards said. “He (Fabian) only needs to do what he always does, and we will get that gold (RAMNCFR) buckle this year.” This is the third time Fabian has won his circuit. And he’s more than familiar with the RAMNCFR, having competed at it in Oklahoma City, Guthrie, Okla., and Kissimmee. “It’s a little weird being fromNew York, but we’re all humans and get along nicely,” Fabian laughed. Using what he’s learned from Fabian, Edwards is enjoying ProRodeo success beyond the circuit, winning the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo with Clay Ullery. “Eric is the definition of a great guy and great cowboy at winning inside and outside the arena,” Edwards said. “Truthfully, he’s someone I looked up to my whole life, and if people want to get better you need to look up to people like him. “He’s the definition of a gym teacher. He’s good at everything, and it doesn’t matter if it’s ping pong or basketball.” Fabian and Edwards won eight rodeos during the 2018 season. In 2019, Fabian won 10 rodeos, six with Edwards and four with Derek Carey. Fabian’s biggest win came from the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo with Edwards in January 2019, which he nearly repeated in 2020 with Carey, winning Rounds 1 and 3. “Roping is what he loves to do, and I think he’s always had what it takes,” Edwards said. “He wins a lot for what he does and will always be a winner in my book.”

I was lucky enough to rope with him,” Edwards said. “He’s been like a father figure – I’ve learned to rodeo, travel and about life from him. He’s been one of my best friends since Day 1.” Both cowboys grew up within an hour of each other in upstate New York. “When you rodeo in New York, everyone rodeos in the same spots,” Edwards said. “He’s six or seven years older than me, but I hung out with the older kids. I looked up to him and he took me under his wing.” Competing in the circuit has helped Fabian develop his roping. “The rodeos in New York are hit or miss,” Fabian said. “Some weeks are soft, and some weeks are tougher. So it’s judging when to go fast and when to just catch and win some money.” Fabian branched out in his roping while attending college in Stephenville, Texas, and completing his student-teaching in Hico, Texas. He teaches full time and competes on his home turf in the First Frontier Circuit, which is a perfect fit for him. “Ninety percent of our rodeos are in July and August, some are in May, June and September, but I can go to a lot of them in two months,” Fabian said. “Painted Pony is like 25 minutes from where I live.” At 28, Fabian is no longer the only one in his family competing in rodeo after marrying his wife, Emily, in 2016. “She breakaway ropes, heads and barrel races, does the whole nine yards,” Fabian said, adding that they team rope together when possible. I’ve been pretty successful with it, and we just like going with the family atmosphere. This year we’re looking forward to going together a lot more.”

FORGING HIS OWN PATH

Fabian’s parents

owned horses, but nobody in his family was connected to rodeo. “I started showing horses, but it wasn’t a lot of fun,” Fabian said. “I wanted to do something else, so we got in touch with Bob Hoyt, and he took me under his wing. I just went from there.” Since he started roping at 13, Fabian dabbled in tie-down roping but has primarily stuck to team roping. “I just like the idea of working with a partner,” Fabian said. “My friends growing up didn’t know about rodeo. A few kids in school had horses, but it was a foreign language to them. But they thought it was cool.” Edwards grew up watching Fabian compete. They teamed up once Edwards was old enough to compete in the PRCA. “I’ve known himmy whole life, and I always thought that’s who I want to rope with, and then

Photo courtesy Eric Fabian Eric Fabian teaches physical education to students in kindergarten through fifth grade and is a high school varsity track coach.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/6/2020

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