COLEMAN PROCTOR
From his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rookie year in 2005, nine years passed before Proctor backed in the box at the Thomas & Mack. Now 37, the Pryor, Oklahoma cowboy has seven NFRs under his belt. He roped with Long at the 2014-15 NFRs; Billie Jack Saebens in 2016-17; Ryan Motes in 2019; and Logan Medlin at the last two in 2021-22.
Looking back now, how were you different as a young rodeo rookie?
Jake and I were chuckling about this the other day. Just the knowledge base of knowing where to enter and how to get there grows every year. I didn't really rodeo with the intent of making the NFR until I started heading in 2007. But for crying out loud, I didn't take a back-up horse to the Northwest, because we were trying to split diesel four ways. Then we get out there, and my horse (Preacher) colics at the first rodeo, which was the tour finale in Caldwell (Idaho). Then the guys I was splitting diesel with jumped out of the rig. There was a very sharp learning curve for me.
What changed in you between your rookie year and your first Finals?
I had a great
