Trenton Montero Takes on Uber Driver Gig
When rodeos went on hiatus in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, bareback rider Trenton Montero hit the road – as an Uber driver.
“I’ve been Uber driving to help pay bills, doing Uber Eats and stuff,” said Montero, 28. “Uber Eats has been really busy. People just don’t want to go out much. I had been an Uber Eats driver periodically, like when the rodeo season winds down in the fall. I did some last fall before the NFR.”
Montero lives in Billings, Mont., and has a fuel-efficient ride for Uber Eats – a 2015 Toyota Prius, the same car he rodeoed in during the 2019 season.
“The Prius is a great car,” Montero said.
Besides Ubering, Montero has been doing some ranch work.
“I helped the family with branding and everything,” he said. “I had to get our cows branded and turned out. I did that for a week and then I have been doing a lot of fishing and hiking around at different places. It has been nice to enjoy a little bit of time in Montana, fly-fishing and hiking.”
Montero has made an effort to stay fit.
“I have been doing home workouts,” Montero said. “I have been YouTubing workouts to stay in shape. Gyms just opened (May 15) in Montana. I know I will be refreshed when I get back out there rodeoing. I’m scheduled to compete at Cave Creek (Ariz., May 22-24), and no matter how good of shape you’re in, there’s a difference from being in shape and being in riding shape. I’m supposed to get on some practice horses this weekend (May 16-17).”
Montero and his wife, Maria, celebrated their first anniversary May 10.
A year ago, Montero had a career-best season in the PRCA. He made his Wrangler National Finals Rodeo debut and finished 10th in the 2019 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $170,296.
Montero placed seventh in the NFR average, earning $89,538, after winning Round 2 and placing in three rounds. He won Round 2 with a 90.5-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Prairie Rose. He broke the Round 2 NFR record of 89.5 points set by Cimarron Gerke in 2004.
“Going to the Finals once just made me want to go that much more again,” Montero said. “You crave it after going one time. It was unbelievable to win that round. In my head, I had done it a thousand times, but to actually do it was very special, especially getting to celebrate with my family.”
Courtesy of PRCA