DUNCAN, Okla. – Jacob Edler arrived at Stephens County Arena with a purpose in mind.
Mission accomplished.
In his fourth appearance at the Chisholm Trail RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, Edler won both go-rounds and the aggregate and pocketed $5,898, earning his first qualification to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo next spring in Kissimmee, Florida. More importantly, it serves as a lightning rod for his first trip to the National Finals Rodeo, which takes place in less than 50 days in Arlington, Texas.
“By making the NFR, you bleed confidence,” said Edler of State Center, Iowa, now living in Alva, Oklahoma, home of his alma mater, Northwestern Oklahoma State University. “I worked so hard for this opportunity, and it’s finally come to surface. I’m confident that I’m ready for the NFR.
“This circuit finals is a step toward that, so I was definitely going to be ready to go.”
He proved it, downing both steers in 4.0 seconds to collect the lion’s share of the money available. More importantly, his earnings will count toward the 2021 world standings. Combined with money he pocketed at the first rodeo of the new campaign three weeks ago, Edler is looking good for the next season before the 2020 season concludes at the NFR.
“I’m ready for the NFR, but I’m already looking into 2021 already,” he said.
Edler competes in this circuit because he’s stayed close to Alva, where he was the runner-up to his college champion teammate, J.D. Struxness, at the 2016 College National Finals Rodeo. He’s remained one of the top bulldoggers in the game since then.
“If you’re rodeoing for a living, you’re going to be able to get your circuit count in and go to rodeos that pay enough to give you the opportunity to make the circuit finals in 15 rodeos,” Edler said. “Having this kind of success this weekend gives me quite a bit of confidence.
“When I get to Arlington, I know the horse is going to be ready, and I know I’m going to be ready. I’m just going to do my job for 10 rounds and let the chips fall where they may.”
That horse is Ditto, a mare owned by fellow bulldogger Clayton Moore. Edler’s traveling partner and hazer, Matt Reeves, had sold Ditto to Moore, then asked the Canadian to borrow the horse after Reeves’ top horse, Rattle, died earlier this year – rattle was the 2019 Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year.
“When Rattle went down, we were in a bind and had only one horse in the rig,” Edler said. “Since Day 1, Ditto and I have just meshed. It’s just unreal the things she did for my career. She makes the exact same run every time, so I get the exact go every time. It makes my job exceptionally easy. I’ve been blessed to get to ride an animal like her.”
She and Edler were spot on over two nights in Duncan, and now he gets to reap the circuit rewards.
Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo
Oct. 16-17
Duncan, Okla.
All-around champion: Blake Deckard.
Bareback riding: First round: 1. Garrett Shadboldt, 83 points on New Frontier Rodeo’s Brown Eyed Girl, $1,872; 2. Mike Fred, 81, $1,404; 3. Blaine Kaufman, 80, $936; 4. Mark Kreder, 78, $468. Second round: 1. Garrett Shadboldt, 80 points on Salt Creek Rodeo’s My Hero, $1,872; 2. Will Martin, 79.5, $1,404; 3. Blaine Kaufman, 77.5, $936; 4. Danny Weil, 7, $468. Average: 1. Garrett Shadboldt, 163 points on two rides, $1,872; 2. Blaine Kaufman, 157.5, $1,404; 3. Will Martin, 156, $936; 4. Danny Weill, 154.5, $468.
Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Jacob Edler, 4.0 seconds, $1,685; 2. Blake Mindemann, 4.3, $1,264; 3. Tanner Brunner, 4.4, $843; 4. Cody Devers, 5.1, $421. Second round: 1. Jacob Edler, 4.0 seconds, $1,685; 2. Tanner Brunner, 4.1, $1,264; 3. Bridger Anderson, 4.7, $843; 4. Cole Edge, 5.2, $421. Average: 1. Jacob Edler, 8.0 seconds on two runs, $2,528, 2. Tanner Brunner, 8.5, $1,896; 3. Riley Duvall, 10.7, $1,264; 4. Cody Devers, 11.8, $632. Year-end champion: Cody Devers.
Team roping: First round: 1. Jake Clay/Brye Crites, 4.7 seconds, $1,685; 2. Wyatt Muggli/Casey McCleskey, 5.0, $1,264; 3. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 5.3, $843; 4. Curry Kirchner/Austin Rogers, 5.4, $421. Second round: 1. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 4.0, $1,685; 2. Curry Kirchner/Austin Rogers, 4.3, $1,264; 3. Jake Clay/Brye Crites, 4.4, $843; 4. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 4.6, $421. Average: 1. Jake Clay/Brye Crites, 9.1 seconds on two runs, $2,528; 2. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 9.3, $1,896; 3. Curry Kirchner/Austin Rogers, 9.7, $1,264; 4. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins, 10.8, $632. Year-end champion header: Andrew Ward. Year-end champion heeler: Buddy Hawkins.
Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Shade Etbauer, 86.5 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sue City Sue, $1,966; 2. Hardy Braden, 84, $1,475; 3. Jake Finlay, 83.5, $983; 4. Tyrel Larsen, 83, $492. Second round: 1. (tie) Colt Gordon and Jake Finlay, 85.5 points, $1,720 each; 3. (tie) Tyrel Larsen and Clint Lindenfeld, 81, $737 each. Average: 1. Jake Finlay, 169 points on two rides, $1,966; 2. Colt Gordon, 164.5, $1,475; 3. Tyrel Larsen, 164, $983; 4. Hardy Braden 157.5, $492.
Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Hunter Herrin, 8.1 seconds, $1,685; 2. (tie) Blake Deckard and Tyler Milligan, 8.6 seconds, $1,053; 4. Quay Howard, 8.7, $421. Second round: 1. Ryan Jarrett, 8.5 seconds, $1,685; 2. Will Howell, 8.6, $1,264; 3. (tie) Blake Deckard and Caddo Lewallen, $632 each. Average: 1. Hunter Herrin, 16.9 seconds on two runs, $2,528; 2. Blake Deckard, 17.3, $1,896; 3. Will Howell, 18.6, $1,264; 4. Wyatt Muggli, 18.9, $632. Year-end champion: Ryan Jarrett.
Barrel racing: First round: 1. Emily Miller, 15.50 seconds, $2,041; 2. Michelle Darling, 15.80, $1,531; 3. Erin Zoucha, 15.92, $1,021; 4. Shannon Lillard, 16.00, $510. Second round: 1. Emily Miller, 15.53 seconds, $2,041; 2. Leslie Smalygo, 16.02, $1,531; 3. (tie) Erin Zoucha and Shannon Lillard, 16.04, $765 each. Average: 1. Emily Miller, 31.03 seconds on two runs, $2,041; 2. Michelle Darling, 31.85, $1,531; 3. Erin Zoucha, 31.96, $1,021; 4. Shannon Lillard, 34.04, $510. Year-end champion: Emily Miller.
Steer roping: First round: 1. Chet Herren, 11.5 seconds, $1,307; 2. Trenton Johnson, 12.3, $980; 3. Roger Branch, 13.1, $654; 4. Mike Chase, 13.7, $327. Second round: 1. (tie) Blake Deckard and Thomas Smith, 10.8 seconds, $1,144 each; 3. Tuff Hardman, 12.0, $654; 4. Brady Garten, 12.5, $327. Third round: 1. Cole Patterson, 9.9 seconds, $1,307; 2. Brodie Poppino, 10.0, $980; 3. J.P. Wickett, 10.5, $654; 4. Brady Garten, 11.3, $327. Average: 1. Chet Herren, 37.7 seconds on three runs, $1,961; 2. Trenton Johnson, 38.3, $1,470; 3. Rocky Patterson, 40.6, $980; 4. Tuff Hardman, 41.4, $490. Year-end champion: Cole Patterson.
Bull riding: First round: 1. Colton Byram, 85 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Bet on Black, $2,130; 2. Trevor Kastner, 84, $1,648; 3. E.J. Bechthold, 78, $1,147; no other qualified rides. Second round: 1. Trevor Kastner, 85 points on Frontier Rodeo’s After All, $1,966; 2. Creek Young, 79.5, $1,475; 3. Colton Byram, 76, $983; 4. Wyatt Rogers, 74, $492. Average: 1. Trevor Kastner, 169 points on two rides, $1,966; 2. Colton Byram, 161, $1,475; 3. Creek Young, 79.5 points on one ride, $983; 4. E.J. Bechtold, 78, $492. Year-end champion: Trevor Kastner.