BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN
After winning just one check at eight rodeos in February and March, Hunter Herrin picked the perfect place to get hot - the RAM National Circuit Finals.
He won two of the event’s four rounds and finished second in another, recording three times of 7.8 seconds or faster to win the rodeo and earn more than $18,000 toward the 2021 World Standings. Every last dollar would prove to be crucial for Herrin to qualify for his 11th Wrangler NFR as he finished No. 13 in the PRCA World Standings about $1,500 ahead of No. 16 Andrew Burks.
HERRIN’S WINNING RUN AT RNCFR
Herrin also cashed in on wins at the Snake River Stampede (Idaho) in July and Moses Lake Roundup (Washington) in August. In Idaho, he was 26 seconds on three and won the Second Round, earning him more than any other cowboy at the rodeo ($11,091). At the Moses Lake Roundup, he was 7.8 seconds to get the win and a payday of nearly $5,000.
Following his win at the Snake River Stampede, Herrin finished second in the Average in Deadwood the next week to bank more than $7,000.
Herrin also placed in four of five rounds in his pool at The Calgary Stampede. In Round One, he stopped the clock at 6.6 seconds, the second-fastest run in the PRCA this year. Herrin won more than $30,000 in July and it was by far his best month of the season. At the beginning of August, he was all the way up to No. 7 in the PRCA World Standings.
HERRIN’S 6.6-SECOND RUN
Herrin’s best time of the year outside of Calgary was a 7.2-second run to place second at the Home of Champions Rodeo (Montana). It was one of 12 runs of 7.5 seconds or faster in 2021 which was the most of his career. Previously, he never had more than five in a year.
Herrin won two rounds at the 2020 NFR and finished fourth in the PRCA World Standings. It was his first appearance since 2017 after a hip injury kept him out most of the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He will enter the NFR $113,000 away from $2 million in career earnings.
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