Vin Fisher Jr. Eyes PRCA Clem McSpadden NFSR Gold Buckle
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Qualifying for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping hasn’t been an issue for Vin Fisher Jr.
The Andrews, Texas, cowboy has qualified for the event 16 times, including this season – 2002-03, 2005-06, 2008-19.
But Fisher has yet to walk away from the NFSR with a gold buckle. He’s finished in second once (2015) and third four times (2008 and 2010-12).
Fisher has another opportunity to capture that coveted gold buckle at the 2019 NFSR at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Nov. 22-23. There are five rounds each night, beginning at 7:30 p.m. (CT).
Fisher is second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $59,844. He’s $12,001 behind leader Trevor Brazile ($71,845). Tuf Cooper ($55,846) and J. Tom Fisher ($50,803), Vin’s younger brother, are third and fourth in the standings, respectively.
“The mindset I’m going to try this year, I’m going to try and do something,” Vin said. “I’ve been there a lot of times, and I have never had a lot of success in the average even though during the course of the (season) I always have success in the averages. For some reason at the NFSR I feel like I get caught up in the go-rounds. It’s really easy when you’re sitting there watching and see some guys go fast.
“Also, there are not a ton of rodeos throughout the year that we get the opportunity to really go fast. You get caught up watching that and you get amped up and really want to go for that go-round. To me, I don’t know, but it has always been a big deal to try and win go-rounds at the Finals. I get in a bad habit of trying to do too much on every steer. I feel like that has really been my downfall in the past. I need to be smart and patient, especially more patient.”
The round winners receive $9,155, and the average champion earns $27,347.
Vin will be competing on a horse familiar to steer roping fans at the NFSR. He bought Trevor Brazile’s star steer roping horse, Barney, in June and started riding him the next week.
“That’s as good a horse as I’ve ever ridden,” Vin said. “He’s a phenomenal horse. He’s older now, he’s 21, but he’s still sound and tries hard. He really makes a difference with his power.”
Vin also will have Gump in Mulvane. Vin bought Gump, 17, from his father, Dan Fisher, earlier this year. Dan also is a 16-time NFSR qualifier – 1986-90, 1994, 1996-97, 2000, 2003-04, 2008-10, 2012-13.
Dan and his sons Vin and J. Tom competed at the NFSR together in 2010 and 2013.
Vin enjoys having his brother J. Tom compete with him at the NFSR. J. Tom has qualified for the NFSR six times – 2010, 2013 and 2015-18.
“It’s awesome,” Vin said. “J. Tom and I practice together every day, and it’s something we both have a real strong passion for. We both want to win championships and have the same mindset, which makes it good because we can lean on each other and bounce ideas off each other when it comes to horses or steers.”
Doors to the Clem McSpadden NFSR open at 6:30 p.m. (CT). The competition begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets 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