Two years in a row, Tanner Brunner has had a solid season enabling him to qualify twice in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Tanner grew up in a ranching and rodeo family. His father, Tracy, was a steer wrestler, his mother, Yvonne, competed in barrel racing as well as his older sister Cat. However, after finishing 15th place, consecutively in a row has left him yearning for more and hungry to win.
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rodeos were stopped in mid-March and restarted the third week of May.
He was quick to acknowledge that apart from being a big stage, one gets to learn something new every time you are there, and he hoped to surely use every bit of knowledge he has gained along the way when he gets in the arena.
Brunner has kept his word by moving his way up to number 8, gaining $26235 at the PRCA. On June 13, in Woodward (Okla.), he had to split the wins with Elks Rodeo and at Coleman. This saw him elevate five spots in PRCA standings.
Brunner could not hide his joy after that performance and felt proud of himself wishing he would attend the rodeos every single day when in a high spirit. Highlighting on some good steers and rode miss Kitty, 13, both at the Coleman and Woodward.
He had a 3.8-second run in Woodward and earned $3266 by tying with Trell Etbauer. 3.7 seconds was his stoppage on the clock in Coleman and made $1925 after splitting the victory with Gabe Soileau.
After the postponement of Rodeos due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brunner kept busy with his family while working at a farm and his uncle’s cow-calf operation premises in Ramona, Kan.
“I practiced a little bit, took some time off, and let my horses take some time off. When things looked like they were going to get going back, I started practicing and getting my horses back in shape, but I enjoyed my time at home for sure.” Said Brunner.
Brunner is eying the World’s Oldest Rodeo, which is to take place on June 29 at Prescott, Ariz. After that, he will compete at the Independent Day Rodeo in Oakley (Utah) on June 30 and on July 1 at the Stampede, Cody (Wyo.).
Surely the fans will have something to smile about when Brunner does what he does best in the arena.
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