Steer wrestler Chance Howard stopped the clock in 4.1 seconds to take the bulldogging lead during Monday’s first performance of Rooftop Rodeo.
(PHOTO BY PHILLIP KITTS)

 

ESTES PARK, Colo. – The luck of the draw is more than just a theory with a deck of cards.

It happens in rodeo, where athletes are matched with livestock in competition. Chance Howard knew he had drawn on the lucky end of the cattle during Monday’s opening performance of Rooftop Rodeo, and he took advantage of his situation. He bulldogged his cow to the ground in 4.1 seconds to take the steer wrestling lead.

“These are a bigger, older set of steers,” said Howard, 35, a 2025 National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Sallisaw, Oklahoma. “All these stock contractors can’t get new ones right now, but I was able to get a good one.”

Ideally, livestock producers would try to utilize fresher cattle from Mexico, but the border is closed. Stock contractors try to have animals that are similar in style in a certain herd to make the competition as even as possible. Older steers make that more difficult, but not matter the circumstance, there are always some animals that are just better to draw.

When an athlete is performing well and draws well, it’s a match-up made in rodeo heaven. Such is the case with Howard’s run on opening night.

“Drawing good definitely helps,” Howard said.

Steer wrestling is always tough, and Howard knows that as well as anyone. He began his career 16 years ago and just earned his first trip to ProRodeo’s grand finale last December. Only the top 15 in the world standings at the conclusion of the regular season get to play at the NFR, which features the largest purse in the game.

While there are repeat qualifiers, oftentimes there are some newcomers that make the championship. That’s where Howard found himself last year.

“That steer I had was in Prescott (Arizona) last week, and he was good down there,” Howard said. “I knew he’d be good here.”

Howard is traveling with 2020 world champion Jacob Edler and a couple of other bulldoggers, Levi Rudd and Kaden Greenfield. They’re not only sharing a rig that includes a living-quarters trailer, they’re teammates. When Howard made his run, Edler served as his hazer, helping keep the steer in line. Sure, they’re competing for the same dollars, but there’s comradery in that mix.

“Probably the biggest thing I learned last year is you’ve got to stay confident and believe in yourself,” Howard said. “Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.”

Which is why he is in Estes Park. Steer wrestling is the only event in which cowboys will compete in two go-rounds, so Howard and his crew will return to the arena later in the week. The Rooftop Rodeo title will be given to the bulldogger who has the best two-run cumulative time.

Until then, they’ll enjoy the trappings and Rocky Mountain majesty that is Estes Park.