MIKE OUTHIER, Utopia, Texas

How in the world does a four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc riding qualifier get into the field for the Timed Event Championship?

Well, he’d better be pretty handy with a rope and understand timed events well.

That describes Mike Outhier pretty well. Yes, he was the 1998 PRCA Resistol Saddle Bronc Riding Rookie of the Year, but he grew up with a rope in his hand and a tenacity to do just about anything possible in the world of rodeo. He earned Linderman Award titles in 2004 and 2007, joining Trell Etbauer this weekend as the first Linderman winners to compete in the Timed Event.

In 1994 and 1995, he competed at the International Youth Finals Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., in all six events available for boys: tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. He would’ve done so in 1996, but a broken left arm left him unable to ride bulls.

Yes, those credentials make you wonder what he might be able to do with a barrel horse. No matter where he garnered his fame, Mike Outhier is a true cowboy, and he wants a solid performance this weekend to prove it to us all.