LAS VEGAS – Frontier Rodeo’s Full Baggage is a two-time Bareback Horse of the Year and is still bucking at the National Finals Rodeo at 22 years of age.
Bradlee Miller is a year younger than the titan, but the two matched together like veterans for 88.5 points during Wednesday’s seventh round of the National Finals Rodeo to win the night and add to Miller’s incredible NFR pocketbook. It was the third round win for the Huntsville, Texas, cowboy, at his first NFR, and another $33,687 pushed his Las Vegas earnings to $178,436.
He is second in the world standings with $315,801, trailing only Rocker Steiner on the money list. What might be the most telling of all is that he’s done all this after suffering a neck injury on the fifth night of this championship.
“Uncomfortable might be an understatement,” he said, his head tilted toward his right shoulder to show just how much pain he was actually experiencing. “I’m ready to go to the locker room and lay down in the corner for a little bit. When they rush you up tomorrow, I’ll be ready to go.”
His spectacular run through the first seven nights of ProRodeo’s grand finale has put the Western world on notice. In addition to pushing himself into the world-championship picture among the top 15 bareback riders, Miller is also second in the NFR’s Top Gun race, which will reward the single-event contestant who earns the most money over the 10-day championship.
Barrel racer Kassie Mowry holds a lead of just less than $20,000 over Miller. She is fourth in the barrel racing aggregate race, which could be worth another $41,000 when the NFR concludes Saturday night. For his part, Miller is fifth in the bareback riding average. That bonus would be just shy of $30,000 if he is to maintain that position.
“I’m just taking it day by day,” said Miller, a senior on the Sam Houston State University rodeo team, which is coached by his father, Bubba. “I’m trying not to think too much about the big picture. This sport’s about eight seconds at a time.”
His neck injury may be painful, but he’s been able to deal with it because of the help of the Justin Sportsmedicine Team, a group of athletic trainers and doctors dedicated to assist rodeo athletes. They travel across the country caring for cowboys and cowgirls, and the team has a large contingent in Las Vegas to care for the 120 contestants in the competition.
“The sports medicine team has helped me a lot by feeling good before I get on,” Miller said. “Before I get down in that chute, I’m feeling nearly 100 percent. It’s just after where it gets me.”
Just in time for Christmas, Miller’s biggest present this December is pain management, and he’s handling it the best way he can.