I first met Luke Branquinho about a decade ago, visiting with him about finishing 16th in the world standings and just missing his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Since then, he’s missed just one other year-end finale, that coming in 2005 when an injury pushed him to the sidelines. Oh, and he’s also won three world titles.
He’s come a long ways since that 2000 season, and Branquinho has earned every kudo he has received. Personable and funny, the big man from California is the kind of cowboy everybody wants to see win.
He’s done his fair share. At this year’s NFR, Branquinho won $146,779, nearly $46,000 of which came for finishing first in the 10-round average.
He knows what it takes to win the world. I suspect he’ll win a few more Montana Silversmiths gold buckles before he’s done.