Paul Peterson at the National Finals Rodeo.
By Dakota McDonald/The Post Dispatch—
Paul Peterson was recently selected as a pickup man for the richest rodeo around, The American Rodeo.
Peterson is a cowboy living in Southland, Texas. He has competed in almost every rodeo event and has even won a buckle in each to show for it.
While competing at these rodeos, he has also helped work them. Peterson frequently helps cowboys off bucking horses and removes bulls from the arena.
He often picks up at colleges and amateur rodeos. However, he has also been asked to pick up in select professional rodeos around Texas.
In 1997, 2002 and 2009, Peterson was a pickup man at the National Finals Rodeo, the largest rodeo of the year.
With extended experience and success in the rodeo arena, Peterson even got the chance to represent Garza County at The American Rodeo at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 8 this year.
“It was a big honor,” Peterson said regarding being selected to pick up.
For many, The American Rodeo, known as “the world’s richest one-day rodeo,” is quite an event as it showcases 10 qualified ropers’ and riders’ from all over the United States in a span of about two hours. In fact, The American entices its contestants by offering non PRCA qualified cowboys and cowgirls a chance to win $1 million.
With all that being said, Peterson does not speak of the opportunity he was given lightly.
“It’s quite an honor to be selected for a one-million-dollar rodeo this close to home,” Peterson said.
