Beau Cooper of Settler, Alberta has qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo after getting a career-defining win just months after what could have been a career-defining heartbreak.
He makes his first trip to the big show sitting No. 11 in the PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Standings with $117,417 in earnings.
Cooper claimed the 2021 Rookie of the Year Title and has continued his success since the start of his professional career. Cooper will be sharing the stage at the Thomas & Mack with his cousin, World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Zeke Thurston, this December as both Canadian cowboys compete for a Gold Buckle.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
Calgary Stampede, $31,650
At the biggest rodeo in his home country, Cooper turned in the biggest performance of his life. He turned in a much needed 7.2-second run in Round 3 of Pool A to advance and then tied for the last spot in the Finals. With the Championship on the line, Cooper was 7 flat, the fastest run of his professional career to win the prestigious bronze in Calgary and $50,000 ($25,000 of which counted toward the PRCA World Standings).
Ponoka Stampede (Alberta), $12,264
Cooper made his way back home as he competed in the Ponoka Stampede where he claimed the No. 1 spot in the Final Round with a run of 8.8 seconds to split the lead with Zack Jongbloed, which earned a check of $2,300 and a spot in the Showdown Round. In the Four-Man Showdown, he and Haven Meged were both one tenth off the 9 flat pace set by Ty Harris.
RodeoHouston, $11,500
Due to a controversial call made during RodeoHouston, Cooper barely missed out on the $50,000 title, however, he was stil able to take home a five-figure payday. Cooper advanced out of Super Series 4, won the Wild Card and the 10-man Championship Round, before ultimately finishing out the Championship Shootout at No. 4.
FASTEST RUNS
Jerome County Fair and Rodeo (Idaho), 7.5 Seconds
A 7.5-second run at the Jerome County Fair and Rodeo was just the time Cooper needed to jump to the No. 1 spot and cinch the win. The win secured Cooper a check for $2,341.
Rodeo Austin, 7.8 Seconds
Cooper advanced into the Final Round at Rodeo Austin where he stopped the clock at 7.8 seconds to lock in the No. 3 position behind fellow NFR cowboys Riley Webb and Hunter Herrin. He won $7,500 in Austin, more than $5,000 of which came from the Championship Round run.
NOTABLE WINS
Matagorda County Fair and Rodeo (Texas), 8.6 Seconds
Houston and Austin produced big checks in March, but his one win in Texas that month came in Bay City. Outside of the win in Jerome County, this was his only other win in the U.S. in 2023. He, did, however win four times total in Canada including The Stampede.
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