Jacob Edler Scores his Biggest Win at Pikes Peak or Bust
By Matt Naber
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Steer wrestler Jacob Edler went for broke and cashed in for $11,247 at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 13.
“To get a win here you have to run at the barrier every time and you have to max everything out,” Edler said. “This is the biggest win of my life.”
At the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, the top three cowboys qualify for the Gold Buckle Round where they get one shot for the top spot and $10,000.
Edler, 25, nearly missed his chance to qualify for the Gold Buckle Round, which would have made his Pikes Peak trek a bust.
“I had butterflies the entire time and had never been in a tournament-style setting like this,” Edler said. “I missed my first one and re-grabbed him and didn’t think I would advance.”
Edler hit the arena with confidence in the Gold Buckle Round, not just because of the speedy mare he borrowed from fellow bulldogger Stetson Jorgensen or from having his traveling partner Blake Mindemann as his hazer. Edler also had some insider information.
“I ran that steer in Prescott (Ariz.) last week and knew that steer really ran and moved fast,” Edler said. “I was happy to have him, I got lucky since I knew that steer.”
Edler stopped the clock in 4.7 seconds, more than a full second ahead of the No. 2 steer wrestler.
The State Center, Iowa, cowboy has been plugging away since his rookie year in 2013. His best season came last year when he finished 35th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $41,838 thanks in part to winning the ESCP Rodeo in Carlsbad, N.M., and the Amarillo (Texas) Tri-State Fair & Rodeo within a week of each other in September.
Before his win in Colorado Springs, Edler was ranked 27th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $32,276, $12,165 away from breaking into the Top 15.
“It (this win) means a lot, it’s a big step toward the goals I have for the end of the year,” Edler said. “At this point, I just need to stay consistent and hopefully I’ll fulfill my goals.”
Considering he won so much in Colorado Springs, he’s hot on the trail to making his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
“It shoots my confidence way up,” Edler said. “I’m super excited for Nampa (Idaho’s Snake River Stampede).”
Other winners at the $169,623 rodeo were bareback rider Trenten Montero (88.5 points on Vold Rodeo’s Karate Hottie); team ropers Tanner Baldwin/Nano Garza (5.7 seconds); saddle bronc rider Tim Ditrich (84 points on Vold Rodeo’s Painted Bear); tie-down roper Adam Gray (8.6 seconds); barrel racer Leia Pluemer (11.434 seconds); and bull rider Trevor Kastner, 87.5 points on Vold Rodeo’s Whirlwind.)
For more coverage of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, check out the July 26 issue of ProRodeo Sports News.
Courtesy of PRCA