Steer wrestler qualifies for NFR despite June injury | National Finals Rodeo | sport

On June 8, Tyler Waguespack suffered a separated left biceps tendon at the PRCA Rodeo in Sisters, Oregon. Typical recovery time: four to five months.

In other words: season over.

But that’s during regular time. No cowboy standard time.

“The doctor said, ‘We’ll get you back as soon as possible.’ He did a great job and I probably pushed it a little bit,” Waguespack said. “I had surgery on June 10th and was able to work with my first horse again on July 31st.”

This not only speaks for the work of Dr. Steven Huish of Mountain Orthopedics in Salt Lake City, but also for Waguespack’s work ethic.

The five-time PRCA steer wrestling world champion made an unfortunate return at this rodeo in Preston, Idaho. But it didn’t take long to regain the magic.

“In Preston the bull cut off my horse so I had to let him go in no time. But then I ran 3.4 seconds in Idaho Falls and won the rodeo,” Waguespack said.

And the hunt for another spot at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo was on. Waguespack lost nearly two months and was well behind 8-ball to climb back into the top 15 of steer wrestlers as he looked to qualify for a 10th consecutive NFR.

“June and July are such big months for rodeo. Around July 4th there is Cowboy Christmas and the Calgary Stampede. All these big, big rodeos I had to miss,” Waguespack said. “But I had a lot of success in the Midwest later in the season.”

Slowly but surely, Waguespack climbed up the overall standings. Still, he needed a high-paying rodeo toward the end of the season. Luckily, the North Dakota Roughrider Cup is one such rodeo and takes place in late September, supposedly a week before the end of the regular season.

“It’s great to have a big-money rodeo at the end of the year, this Hail Mary that’s for people like me,” Waguespack said.

But then you have to complete the Ave Maria. What Waguespack did. He converted his horse in 3.4 seconds to win the rodeo and $14,572.

“Huge, huge money. That put me in 13th or 14th place and I just had to hang on,” Waguespack said. “I knew how much time I had to have. This setup for this type of Hail Mary was perfect for me and my horse.

“If I had come second in the Roughrider, as high as the payout was ($12,671), it wouldn’t have been enough.”

On the eve of the Wrangler NFR, Waguespack still couldn’t stop praising the Roughrider Cup.

“It’s brilliant for people who are in the bubble. It’s definitely a game changer. It saved my year,” he said. “I have a lot of determination. I tell people I love being cornered. I guess this was another test the good Lord gave me to see if I could pass.”

Waguespack actually passed and then had a few months to rest his arm before heading to Las Vegas for the NFR at the Thomas & Mack Center. He said his biceps tendon hurts a little, but with the brace he uses, it’s no problem competing.

“It doesn’t stop me from doing anything,” he said. “Considering the circumstances, I’m at 110 percent. Given what it could have been and what it actually is, I feel great.”

And it’s a great time to feel great. Waguespack entered the Wrangler NFR ranked 14th in the world with season earnings of $102,656. Yes, that’s more than $100,000 behind leader Dalton Massey ($209,263), with a lot of great bulldogs between Waguespack and Massey.

But there’s a lot of money at stake this week. With first round winnings paying out over $33,000 and a whole lot of NFR average money on the line at the end of the 10-day round, you’re never really out of the running. Even in 14th place. And perhaps especially if you’re a three-time defending champion like Waguespack.

“In this building, a gold buckle is never out of reach,” Waguespack said. “I have a lot of trust in my horse. But there are 14 other guys too, and it’s anyone’s game.”