BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
Hunter Herrin’s 13th NFR qualification didn’t come easy, but he got it done, advancing to Las Vegas for the fourth year in a row as the No. 14 man after not making it from 2017-2019.
Since Herrin’s career renaissance in 2020, the 39-year-old has finished No. 4, No. 13 and No. 4 in the final PRCA World Standings, which included $258,613 in 2022 - over $50,000 more than he had ever earned in a season in his carer.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
RodeoHouston, $25,875
Herrin wouldn’t be in this position without a stellar Texas Swing and his best performance of the Texas Swing came at its highest paying rodeo. Herrin squeaked into the Semifinals in Houston, where he finished third, before paying it off in the Shootout with a 9.6-second run to take second and win $20,000.
Rodeo Austin, $14,165
After a second place finish in Houston, Herrin was victorious at the next Texas Swing stop with a 7.1-second run, his fastest of the year, in the Short Round in Austin. It was the second Texas Swing victory of Herrin’s carer.
FASTEST RUNS
Fiesta Days Rodeo (Utah), 7.2 Seconds
Herrin’s time tied him for the victory with King Pickett in Round 1 of the PRCA Playoff Series Rodeo in Spanish Fork. Herrin won nearly $4,000 for that run and added another $5,100 for sharing second in the Average with World No. 1 Riley Webb at 16.1 seconds on two.
Ogden Pioneer Days (Utah), 7.4 Seconds
The same weekend as Spanish Fork, Herrin was quick once again in Utah. This run paid him $5,065 for a Round 1 victory there.
Kitsap Stampede (Washington), 7.6 Seconds
At the late August one-header in Bremerton, Washington, Herrin’s run was good for second and a payday of $4,200. It was one of eight checks worth $2,500 or more he won in July and August.
NOTABLE WINS
Young Living’s Last Chance Rodeo (Utah), 8.1 Seconds
In his final rodeo of the year, Herrin ended a drought that saw him only winning $875 in September coming in come to an end. He was 8.1 seconds to win $2,000 and solidify his spot in the NFR.
Meet the NFR Athletes is presented by Montana Silversmiths #EveryBuckleHasAStory #BrandOfChampions #FromGreatToGold
