LAS VEGAS – Ty Breuer has ridden pretty well at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, though the statistics may not show it.
Through nine rounds of ProRodeo’s premier event, the Mandan, N.D., bareback rider has placed four times. He hasn’t had that big-hitter that contestants dream of when they arrive in the Nevada desert, but he’s earned money.
He has nickeled-and-dimed his way to $43,212 and has one night remaining in his season. That’s one more chance to reach for that $26,231 payout to the top finisher.
“It feels like it’s coming around, and it feels like I’m riding like I like to,” said Breuer, who entered the finale 12th in the world standings and has moved up one spot with $114,330 in earnings. “It’s starting to feel better.
“For the first couple of rounds, I don’t know if I was nervous or what. I wasn’t on top of my game, that’s for sure.”
The bright lights of Las Vegas can be blinding at times. The NFR is the sport’s super bowl, and the pressures that come with playing in the biggest game of the year – for 10 straight nights – can be great.
This marks Breuer’s second trip to the NFR – he earned the right to compete in 2013. At that championship, he placed in just one round as he battled an injury. He’s fared considerably better. He showed that with an 83.5-point ride on Wayne Vold Rodeo’s True Grit to finish sixth on Friday night.
“I’ve seen that horse in Canada a couple of times, and he was outstanding,” he said. “I was excited to get on that horse.”
He finishes his season Saturday night and has been matched with Flying U Rodeo’s Lil Red Hawk, the same horse Canadian Jake Vold won the fourth round on this past Sunday. He’d like to follow in Vold’s footsteps and walk away from the 10th night with a go-round buckle.
“I want one of those bad,” Breuer said. “We’ll see what happens, but that’s the plan.”
It would be the perfect way to close out another strong campaign.