Luke Branquinho’s rookie year in professional rodeo was in 2000. That year, he rodeoed with Vince Walker and Trav Cadwell along with three others. Branquinho says it was not like rodeoing today when it came to the rig they hauled. It was a cab and a half dually with a small living quarters trailer for six bull doggers.
“When I went to Oakdale to practice with these guys, my goal was to win the Rookie of the Year. I even wrote it on my phone when you put the banners on those old Nokias. These kids don’t understand what any of that stuff is,” Branquinho said.
At the age of 19-years-old, Branquinho won the Round 1 of the National Western in Denver and that earned him a spot at RodeoHouston. When he won Round 1 of RodeoHouston, it hit him that he might be able to actually accomplish his goal.
Fast forward to December and Branquinho did just what he set out to do. He was your 2000 Resistol Rookie of the Year.