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An Interview with TY ERICKSON

Rodeo Life: You are entering the Wrangler National Finals RL: This is your sixth consecutive qualification at the WNFR,
Rodeo (WNFR) in first place in the World Standings, how are what have you learned in the past performances that make
you preparing for your runs at the Thomas and Mack Center you more prepared this time around?
coming this December? What would it mean to win your first TE: I always think I’m prepared to go to the National Finals
World Champion title? Rodeo, but you can never be prepared enough. Stuff always
Ty Erickson: I am going to be driving down to Oklahoma to my happens out there and you’re always having to adjust.
traveling partner Tyler Pearson’s place to do some practicing. It Basically, you go for the round every night and you can’t worry
works well because there’s always guys coming through there too much about the average.
like Tyler Waguespack. I think it’s really good to be able to go
there and practice because I’m around the best guys in the RL: What was the transition like from Calf Roping to Steer
world to practice for three weeks to get ready for the finals. Wrestling? Do you still have a passion for Calf Roping?
TE: I loved Calf Roping when I was in High School. I come from
Winning a World Champion title is all I’ve been working for the a family that’s very physical; in my family you are either playing
last fifteen years of my life. It’s always been a dream of mine football or you’re rodeoing. I always had that physical aspect so
to make the finals and I accomplished that goal back in 2014. I think I adjusted to Steer Wrestling fairly quickly and I always
Now I have a chance to win the world and that’s been my loved it from the moment I first tried it.
ultimate goal since forever.
RL: It’s very common for cowboys to grow up with their
fathers having been in rodeo and following in their footsteps,
what was it like having your mom be that person for you?
With your father being a vet, did he play any role in your
rodeo career?
TE: It was awesome. My summer job in High School was to ride
horses. I really credit a lot of my success to that because I had
to ride so many horses throughout the summer that it helped
me become a better horseman and I think that translated a lot
in my bulldogging. A lot of people think that Steer Wrestlers
just jump off a horse but they don’t realize that there is a lot of
horsemanship in Steer Wrestling.

My father was always there supporting me in everything that
Living the Rodeo Life with I ever wanted to do. He roped a bunch and I got to do that a
lot with him. He was always there to make sure that my horses
were working and that they were the best they could be to perform.
RL: How does it feel to break the million-dollar barrier in your
Honesty, Integrity, and Grit PRCA Career Earnings?

TE: It feels great. I never even thought it would be possible
when I first started out - I never even thought about it. To be
able to pass the million-dollar mark is incredible. There are
not many guys that get to rodeo for a living, let alone surpass
a million dollars. I’ve been blessed to have as much success as
I’ve had these past six years. ª
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PRCA ProRodeo photo