The 2023 National Finals Rodeo is only 4 days away! As we inch closer to seeing the shining lights of Vegas, the best of the best run down the alley, nod their head in the box, and buck out of the yellow chutes, we couldn't help but do a deep dive into which qualifiers might be first-generation cowboys and cowgirls.
Well, we are proud to say that there are quite a few! As you scroll through this list and read a summary about how these athletes got involved in rodeo, take a moment to recognize the testament that these athletes are to the opportunities and possibilities that are available for anyone who has a passion for rodeo. We have cowboys and cowgirls on this list who have won over $1,000,000, even $2,000,000! We even have a 2022 World Champion Bareback Rider on this list. First-generation cowgirls and cowboys reading this, I hope that this list gives you faith that just because you didn't grow up in the western industry, doesn't mean you can't be successful!
Make sure to watch out for these athletes at this year's National Finals Rodeo and cheer them on!!
(in order A-Z by event)
#1 Jesse Pope
Event: Bareback Riding
Age: 25
NFR Qualifications: 3 (2022 World Champion)
Career Earnings: $1,007,549
Start in Rodeo:
Pope's parents didn't rodeo, but his dad was a track star in high school. He claims that it is in his family's nature to be competitive. Pope started riding sheep in first grade, and moved progressively forward (and to bigger animals) as he got older. After playing football, and basketball, and being on the track team, Pope decided as a freshman, that he just wanted to focus on rodeo (Rodeo News). We'd say his decision paid off!
#2 Jacob Lees
Event: Bareback Riding
Age: 27
NFR Qualifications: 1
Career Earnings: $117,808
Start in Rodeo:
Jacob Lees grew up with 6 other siblings and is the only cowboy. As stated in an Magic Valley article by Steve Kiggins, this was "a life choice he said surprised his parents. “I think my folks thought it would just be a phase. They were like, ‘OK, we’ll take you to the rodeo,’” said Lees, who now split his time between Idaho and California. “But it’s something I just love with a passion.” (Magic Valley)
#3 Dean Thompson
Event: Bareback Riding
Age: 21
NFR Qualifications: 1
Career Earnings: $131,452
Start in Rodeo:
"Being the youngest of four boys saw him doing everything he could to keep up with his brothers. One of them, Derrick, introduced him to rodeo after he had spent time with cousins that competed. Dean chose to further his education and compete in college rodeos at Western Texas College in Snyder where he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo. Competing at the NFR his rookie season is a dream come true." (Wrangler Network)
#4 Sue Smith
Event: Barrel Racing
Age: 68
NFR Qualifications: 3
Career Earnings: $515,168
Start in Rodeo:
"Raised in a family that had nothing to do with horses, much less own them, she developed a horse sense from afar. Self-diagnosed as horse crazy, the first time she mounted one of the majestic animals was at the age of 13. She worked to raise money in an effort to feed her affliction. She began riding English jumping horses then worked her way to a position as an assistant racehorse trainer in the Northwest. She didn’t understand the rodeo way of life until her first marriage, which was to a bull rider." (WPRA Bio)
#5 Emily Beisel
Event: Barrel Racing
Age: 31
NFR Qualifications: 3
Career Earnings: $1,180,539
Start in Rodeo:
Emily Beisel's parents were not, in her terms, "horse people", but she was actually introduced to rodeo by her babysitter! "She has always loved barrel racing but competed in all of the events in high school. Her junior year she qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending, breakaway roping, and team roping. She competed in college for Garden City Community College, then Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford" (Wrangler Network). & now, she is a million-dollar cowgirl!
#6 Hunter Koch
Event: Team Roping - Heeler
Age: 26
NFR Qualifications: 2
Career Earnings: $354,640
Start in Rodeo:
In an interview with the Team Roping Journal, Koch mentioned that he is the first generation in his family to rope. He and his younger brother, Kash, were self-taught and admittedly not very good at first. However, they had an arena built by their parents, and they practiced to improve their skills.
He also mentioned that in 2018, his grandma gifted him with National Finals Rodeo performance tickets and that while he took a picture of the Thomas & Mack in person, he promised himself that he would qualify one day. Since then he has won over $350,000 roping in the PRCA, winning rodeos such as the Santa Rosa Roundup and the Yellowstone-River Roundup in 2022.
These earnings and his dedication to his craft have qualified Koch for the NFR three times- 2019, 2020, and now 2023. Koch is proof that being a successful first-generation cowboy is not only possible but is also achievable!
#7 Patrick Smith
Event: Team Roping - Heeler
Age: 43
NFR Qualifications: 13
Career Earnings: $2,354,472
Start in Rodeo:
"Patrick Smith began his legendary rodeo career in 1998, when he was in high school. Up until then, he didn’t know anything about horses or team roping. It was that summer in ‘98, when Smith rode horses for three-time world champion Allen Bach, that a lucky introduction PRCA Hall of Fame Roper Tee Woolman changed his life." (Lone Star Ropes)
