Dave Appleton first made his National Finals Rodeo debut in 1982 in Oklahoma City. He was the third ever Australian to qualify for the big show.
In the middle of the summer, he was not quite in the Top 15 when his roommate and 12-time NFR qualifier TJ Walter said he would show Appleton how to get there.
“That’s one of the great things about this sport, about how guys will selflessly give to each other to help each… TJ showed me how to get there, there’s a lot to learn,” Appleton said.
Carrying the Australian flag was an adventure in itself at Appleton’s first NFR Grand Entry. At that point in his career, he had never thought about a World Championship, he was just having fun. Appleton’s wife, Keely, would be the one to light the fire in him to chase a Gold Buckle. He would go on to win an All-Around World Championship in 1988.