Making Runs like Poetry

Making runs like

An Interview with Stetson Jorgensen

Rodeo Life: You have been climbing the world standings each year at the NFR with being placed 3rd in 2019 and then 2nd in 2020, How are you preparing mentally and physically to claim that number one spot this year?

Stetson Jorgensen: The years before, I'm going to go in there with a positive attitude and go at the barriers as best as I can and whatever happens at the end will happen.

RL: Do you think having had experience competing at the NFR gives you a leg-up going into this year’s competition? What have you learned from your two previous appearances that has helped you prepare for this one?

SJ: Yeah, I got those first-year jitters out of the way. I think some jitters are going to still be there though, but I think it is definitely an advantage knowing what to expect. I'm sure thirsty for that number one spot.

The biggest thing I've learned is that you can't rush things. You have to just let things happen. Trust your bulldogging, trust your horse, and enjoy it. Definitely have fun while you're there. The reasons you’re there are to have fun and do the best you can.

RL: With just fractions of seconds being able to make or break a World Title, how do you stay mentally sound before and during a run? How do you feel after a good run?

SJ: Going into a run, there are a million things that can go wrong. I make sure my fundamentals are right in the box, make sure my reins are squared, and I'm up over my saddle horn. Once I feel that I have a good go and everything, my body just reacts. After that it's more muscle memory. When I do see the clock and it's a good time and the crowd is yelling, I can't even describe it, especially in the Thomas and Mack it's quite an incredible feeling.

RL: What role does confidence play in the success of your runs and your career?

SJ: Confidence is everything going into a run. I tell myself if I don't feel like I'm 100% confident going into the next rodeo then why am I going? I know there are other guys out there that may have better confidence and a better attitude, but I keep telling myself if I have 100% confidence that I'm going to win that I can be pretty unstoppable.

RL: What sparked your passion for being a spokesman for Project Filter-Idaho Fights Tobacco? Why is it important for you to be a voice to encourage people to not use or stop using tobacco?

SJ: The main reason is because it's a great life choice; a better, healthier lifestyle. These tobacco products and the vaping industry are attacking young kids. They advertise it for adults, but they're attacking the young kids by advertising and producing products that taste like candy. I don't want that. It’s not good for them or for anyone. I hope to encourage these kids and one day if they get asked to vape, they will remember me being a spokesperson and learn something from me, and make a better life choice and not do it.

RL: In your career so far, what has been the win that you will always remember? What made that win so special?

JT: My Round 7 win at the 2019 National Finals. My grandpa passed away about 10 months before my first finals and that really motivated me to get to the Finals because he was always saying how he wanted to see Vegas. When I won that round, all I could think about was him. I know he was watching me and it really meant a lot.

RL: How much of your success do you attribute to your horse? How do you prepare your horse to compete before a rodeo?

SJ: She’s in better shape than I am in. I owe it all to her. Once I got on Mabel, she turned my whole career around. We went from being 40th in the World Standings to being 3rd in the World by the end of that year. I try to keep her in shape as well as I can with MVP on my team keeping her healthy. Gregg Veneklasen, the vet in Canyon, Texas, he does a lot for me too. All of that helps her stay sound and be able to compete at the top of her level throughout the whole year.

RL: Many speculate rodeo as being the last blue-collar sport in America. With so many things that could possibly go wrong along the way, such as injuries to you or your horse, mechanical issues from being on the road so much, and relying on having good runs alone for a payout, what makes the rodeo lifestyle so rewarding?

SJ: The rush and attention that you get when you're at the Finals. You feel so accomplished when you get there; like the all-day and all-night drives, the blew tires, the truck problems, the horse issues, and everything that went wrong, was worth it. It's just a relief once you get there. I'm not out here for fame or the money. It’s the connection between the bulldogger and the horse that makes a good solid run. The rhythm that you have with something like that, like everything could go wrong and all at once, but the run turns out so smoothly, it's like poetry. It's an amazing feeling.

RL: What advice do you have for anyone wanting to make a profession career out of Steer Wrestling or rodeo?

SJ: My advice is to never give up. You're always going to have good runs and you're always going to have bad runs. Keep your head up and keep moving forward.