Pattersons Make NFSR a Father-Son Competition
By Tracy Renck
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Like father, like son.
Rocky Patterson, a four-time steer roping world champion, will compete with his son, Cole, for the first time at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Nov. 22-23.
Rocky, who won the world title in 2009-10, 2012 and 2016, qualified in the No. 8 spot in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $40,814. Cole finished the regular season in 13th with $38,251.
“This is special,” said Rocky. “It was fun getting to travel with him this summer. I didn’t make the (NFSR) my rookie year, so he’s ahead of me.”
Rocky and Cole are the first father-son combination to qualify for the NFSR since Dan Fisher and his sons Vin Fisher Jr. and J. Tom Fisher accomplished the feat in 2010 and 2013.
“I don’t know if it has totally set in that I will competing with my dad,” said Cole, 24. “That first night (Nov. 22) I know it will hit fully. This is a dream come true. Vin Fisher told me that the years he qualified with his dad that it was the best experience of his life, and he wishes he had it back. He told me to not take it for granted. I’m sure it will be exciting.”
The Pattersons live in Pratt, Kan., which is 90 minutes from Mulvane.
Rocky will be making his 25th NFSR appearance – second only to the legendary Guy Allen, who competed at the NFSR 33 times and won 18 steer roping world championships.
Cole already has wrapped up the 2019 PRCA | Resistol Rookie of the Year in steer roping. Rocky was the steer roping rookie of the year in 1992.
Cole’s march to his inaugural NFSR was fueled by his horsepower. His primary horse this season was Mr. Blackburn Chex 113 “Dunny,” owned by his dad. Dunny was named the Purina Horse of the Year presented by AQHA for steer roping on Oct. 4.
“That horse doesn’t ever do anything to just drop your jaw, but just always stays out of your way and he never hurts you,” Cole said.
The Top 15 steer ropers in the PRCA based on PRCA | RAM World Standings at the end of the regular season will compete at the NFSR, a separate event from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Doors at the Kansas Star Arena open at 6:30 p.m. (CT). The competition begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from $28 plus taxes and convenience fees. To book tickets go here. To book your 2019 NFSR room and ticket package visit here.
Courtesy of PRCA