Erich Rogers has 11 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications to his name, one NFR Average Title and one World Title. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the world with a second Gold Buckle within reach.
Rogers season started out with a massive payday. At the American Rodeo, Rogers got faster with each round and roped a 5.0 to win the Shootout Round and take home $100,000. He followed it up with a win in Round 2 of the Ram National Circuit Finals.
ERICH ROGERS AND PADEN BRAY AT THE UTE MOUNTAIN ROUNDUP
At the San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out, 5.0 was the time that got Rogers $7,500 and another win. At the Ute Mountain Round-Up he roped a 4.4 second run to win there as well. Over the last week of June, Rogers brought in $8,530 between the Lehi Roundup (Utah), the Greeley Stampede (Colorado) and the World’s Oldest Rodeo (Arizona).
To kick of the month of July, Rogers was a 4.2 at the Cody Stampede and that was good enough to be third. He was also a 5.5 to be fourth at the Western Stampede (Utah) and he got the win at the Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede with a 5.1 second run.
ERICH ROGERS AND PADEN BRAY AT PIKES PEAK OR BUST RODEO
At Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Rogers and his regular season partner, No. 3 Heeler Paden Bray, tied to win Round 1 with a 5.0 second run and placed second in Round 2 with a 6.1. They went on to make two solid runs at Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo and took home over $2,000. At the Mountain Valley Stampede, Rogers added to his season earnings when a 4.7 earned him more than $3,000.
ERICH ROGERS AND PADEN BRAY AT DEADWOOD DAYS OF ’76 RODEO
There was one week in August that was extremely good to Rogers. The Farm City Pro Rodeo (Oregon) was where Rogers was a 4.5 and he followed it up with a 4.2. to win the Cache County Fair and Rodeo (Utah). Rogers cashed in one more time that week at the Missoula Stampede (Montana) with a 5.5 second run.
Rogers final four checks of the season totaled more than $8,000. He won the Spokane Interstate Rodeo (Washington) with a 4.7, won Round 2 of the Pendleton Roundup with a 4.2, placed third at Rodeo De Sante Fe and ended up fourth in Round 2 at California Rodeo Salinas.
Rogers had an outstanding regular season. The Arizona cowboy also had a phenomenal NFR in Arlington, Texas last year with Bray. Although Rogers has roped nine other times at the Thomas and Mack, it will be Bray’s first time inside the historic arena. It is no secret that they make a good team, and they are both wanting a Gold Buckle. Will they get it done?