Meet the 2023 Resistol Rookies of the Year (and the history breaking competition) as these athletes share their thoughts on their new title.
It is, arguably, the most coveted title in a young rodeo athlete’s career– the Resistol Rookie of the Year. Unlike the world champion title, rodeo athletes only have one shot at this crown. A rookie today is on the road to become a world champion tomorrow.
Joe Beaver, a three-time All Around World Champion and a five-time World Champion Calf Roper, was the 1985 All-Around Resistol Rookie of the Year and Tie-Down Resistol Rookie of the Year. Luke Branquinho is a five-time World Champion with 14 NFR qualifications. He was the 2000 All-Around Resistol Rookie of the Year and Steer Wrestling Resistol Rookie of the Year. The “Super Looper” Roy Cooper was the 1976 Tie-Down Resistol Rookie of the Year and went on to be an eight-time World Champion.
These only names a few of the athletes who started as a Resistol Rookie of the Year and went on to make a name for themselves. It’s the start of their rodeo career and their success in the arena.
After rodeoing on their permit and earning more than $1,000 in PRCA rodeos, rodeo athletes will compete the following year as a “rookie.” This is considered their first official year as a professional rodeo athlete, as they are now an official PRCA Contestant Card holder. The rodeo season runs from October 1st to September 30th of the following year.
It was a record-breaking class for the 2023 rookies. After a year of battling it out and tough competition, this is the first year with three contenders that will continue to compete for the award during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. It will take a world champion title to win the Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year award.
Let’s meet the record-breaking class!