Orin Larsen is the No. 9 ranked bareback rider in the world and if you are looking for him in Vegas, he’s the one behind the chutes with the rank mustache.
A lot of the cowboys are taking time to recover from their summer run to get ready for the Thomas and Mack, including Larsen and Tilden Hooper. There is only $60,000 separating No. 1 from No. 10 and that prestigious Gold Buckle could go to any one of the Top 15.
“It’s anyone’s game,” Larsen said. “It’s going to be awesome.”
The horses brought to the NFR are the same caliber as the cowboys and Larsen, a Canadian cowboy, has always been partial to the bucking horses of The Calgary Stampede.
“They have a great breeding program, they have a great operation at their huge ranch over in Alberta,” Larsen said. “I’m craving some Calgary horses when I get to Vegas.”
Hooper added that he appreciates that Caleb Bennett, the PRCA Bareback Riding Director, listens to input from any NFR qualifier who has some to offer.
Larsen is focused on not just the physical preparation these next two months but the mental as well.
“I try to treat every horse the same, don’t look at the Average, which is pretty hard to in Vegas,” he said. “Just trying to put 24-point spur rides on anything I can.”
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Full list of 2021 NFR bareback horses, saddle broncs and bulls
