BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
With 12 NFR qualifications to his name, only two cowboys in the field of 15 tie-down ropers have more than 38-year-old Hunter Herrin - who first made it in 2006.
After qualifying three consecutive times from 2014-2016, Herrin did not qualify again until 2020, but with his 2022 trip to Vegas secured, Herrin will once again rope on rodeo’s biggest stage three straight times.
This year, he will enter the NFR No. 13 in the PRCA World Standings.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
California Rodeo Salinas, $11,552
For the third time in the last 10 years, Herrin was the champion at Salinas. After not placing in Round 1, he was third in Round 2 and second in the Finals to win the Average by two tenths.
Fiesta Days Rodeo, $10,735
Herrin turned in runs of 8.0 and 7.8 seconds to finish in the Top 3 of both rounds and take first in the Average by more than a second.
Ellensburg Rodeo, $10,497
About six weeks after the win in Salinas, Herrin won Ellensburg by placing second or fourth in all three rounds. All of his times were between 8.1 and 8.8 seconds.
FASTEST RUNS
Snake River Stampede, 7.4 Seconds
Herrin won Round 1, and more than $4,300, for his 7.4-second run in Nampa. He ended up fourth in the Average behind Cory Solomon, Shane Hanchey and Zack Jongbloed, all of whom finished the regular season in the Top 10.
Horse Heaven Roundup, 7.4 Seconds
A week before Ellensburg, Herrin had matched his fastest time of the year and placed third in Round 2.
Caldwell Night Rodeo, 7.6 Seconds
Herrin had more good fortune in Idaho as he finished second in Round 1 in Caldwell in August.
NOTABLE WINS
Livermore Rodeo, 8.0 Seconds
Herrin won the June one-header three tenths over Brushton Minton. It was his Herrin’s first win in California since 2017.
MEET THE NFR ATHLETES IS PRESENTED BY MONTANA SILVERSMITHS #everybucklehasastory #goldbucklebound