MINOT, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – When the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo stampedes into Minot Oct. 10-12, the number 2 man in the bull riding won’t have far to travel. Brody Nelson, Minot, enters the Circuit Finals Rodeo in second place in his event, with $25,983 won throughout the regular season.
He’s been riding bulls since his high school days, competing in the North Dakota High School Rodeo Association and qualifying for the National High School Finals Rodeo three times.
Nelson attended Western Texas College in Snyder, earning an associates degree in welding in May of this year. This is Nelson’s second year to qualify for the circuit finals rodeo; he qualified last year. But last year, he broke his leg in late September, keeping him out of competition.
He’s well behind the number one bull rider, Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D., a thirteen-time Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. Bertus comes into the circuit finals rodeo with more than $47,000 won, nearly double Nelson’s earnings.
The two travel together, along with Wade Berg, and Nelson soaks up all the knowledge and experience he can get from the two men.
“Jeff and Wade really helped me this summer, learning the ropes,” he said. “And Jeff helped me to believe in myself.”
Some of Nelson’s first practice rides were at the All Seasons Arena, at the N.D. State Fairgrounds, where the circuit finals rodeo is held. He got on practice steers there at the age of ten, at a bull riding school hosted by the Abrahamson family of Berthold. Nelson attended the school four or five years, honing his skills.
His dad, Randy, rode bulls in high school and Nelson appreciates the support his parents, including mom Heather, have given him. “In all reality, I wouldn’t be anywhere without my parents. They’ve helped me so much and I’m so thankful.”
From his mentors and traveling partners, Nelson is beginning to figure out the mental game of bull riding.
It includes confidence, controlling emotions, and not over analyzing.
“Confidence in bull riding is important,” Nelson said. “Nobody knows the power of the mind like a bull rider.”
He’s also learned to face the potential danger of riding a beast that outweighs its rider ten times over.
“In bull riding, you’re going to get hurt, it’s just part of it. You have to live with that. You almost have to love the danger part of it, too.”
Nelson realizes the danger of the sport.
“This might sound weird, but you have to almost accept and embrace the fact that you might die from riding bulls.
“In some sense, that’s your elixir, your rocket energy.”
Other leaders in each event, coming into the circuit finals rodeo, include bareback rider Kyle Bloomquist, Kadoka, S.D.; steer wrestler Scott Kleeman, Killdeer, N.D.; team roper (header) Guy Howell, Belle Fourche, S.D.; team roper (heeler) Logan Schliinz, Whitewood, S.D.; saddle bronc rider Cash Wilson, Wall, S.D.; tie-down roper Ty Moser, Volga, S.D.; breakaway roper Danielle Wray, Ord, Neb.; barrel racer Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D.; and bull rider Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D.
The Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo is the culmination of the rodeo regular season.
The top twelve cowboys and cowgirls in each of eight events who have won the most money over the regular season qualify to compete at the circuit finals rodeo.
The Badlands Circuit is the PRCA’s designation of contestants living in North Dakota and South Dakota. Contestants from other states may opt in.
The Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo takes place Oct. 10-12 at the N.D. State Fair Center in Minot, N.D. Shows start at 7 pm on Oct. 10-11 and at 1 pm on Oct. 12.
Tickets range in price from $25-$35. Kids general admission tickets are $12.50 (ages 2-12). To purchase tickets, visit BadlandsCircuitFinalsRodeo.
