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Steer Wrestler Dakota Eldridge Grooming New Horse

Steer wrestler Dakota Eldridge knows the importance of horsepower.

The Nevada cowboy rode his standout horse, Rusty, to six Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications.

During the 2020 ProRodeo season, which has been turned upside down with the COVID-19 pandemic, Eldridge has been tuning up his new horse, Tiger, 7.

“I’ve been kind of easing Tiger along, and we’ve been hauling him everywhere,” said Eldridge, 29. “I’ve been riding Clayton Hass’ horse Benz most of the summer, and I’ve ridden Tiger at a few little rodeos.”

Tiger has special meaning to Eldridge.

“My mother-in-law (Sally Freeman) found that horse right before she passed away this spring,” said Eldridge, who made the Finals in 2013-17 and 2019. “A barrel racer in California had the horse, and she (Freeman) found it and I bought (Tiger). It’s been a good year to ease him around and haul him. We’ve been hauling Clayton’s horse, but I’ve been seasoning Tiger. I’ve been hauling him, getting him used to all the noise and the crowds.”

Freeman, known as “Mustang Sally,” passed away April 14. She was 67.

She was one of seven children to Thomas Jenkins Marvel and Rosita Camarillo Petit, granddaughter of Adolfo Camarillo, whose name adorns the city of Camarillo, Calif.

Freeman was a renowned cutting-horse trainer.

Eldridge, who is fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $43,909, has competed on Tiger at the Lincoln County Fair & Rodeo in Afton, Wyo., and the Jerome (Idaho) County Fair and Rodeo.

“Horsepower is everything, and that’s why I’ve been riding Clayton’s horse Benz,” Eldridge said. “I feel like he’s one of the best ones out there right now. I left Rusty home this summer. He’s still good, but he’s just getting older, he’s 21. The way the rodeos are spread out and all the miles, I didn’t think it was worth it to haul him around.”

Eldridge believes Tiger has great upside.

“He’s a super-kind horse who wants to please,” Eldridge said. “I think he has the potential to be one of the best.”

Courtesy of PRCA

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