Luke Branquinho, Cowboy Blogger, 10/29/09
Two-time and reigning World Champion Steer Wrestler Luke Branquinho won his event at the Justin Boots Championships, Sept. 24-26 in Omaha, Neb. The Los Alamos, Calif., cowboy won the four-man finals with a time of 3.4 seconds. All total in the competition, Branquinho won $31,731 to help close the gap on PRCA World Standings leader and 2005 World Champion Lee Graves. |
Well, my 2009 regular season rodeo schedule is complete. I am currently second in the PRCA World Standings and less than $10,000 behind Lee Graves, who holds the top spot. I was really able to make up some ground in these last two months and the big win in Omaha (Neb.) at the Justin Boots Championships (Sept. 24-26) was just what I needed to finish out the regular season. Over those last two months, I have picked up good checks at three Washington rodeos – Bremerton, Ellensburg, and Puyallup as well as at the famous Pendleton (Ore.) Round-up, which celebrated its 99th year this year.
Like I said, Omaha was great for me this year. I drew good steers and my good friend Jesse Peterson let both Gabe (Ledoux) and I ride his good horse Gunner, which I have ridden at the finals quite a few times. Ken Lewis hazed for us and things just seemed to fall into place. I got things started off on the right foot in the first round with a time of 3.6 seconds to finish second in the round. I returned the next night posting a time of 3.6 seconds again to finish in a tie for third giving me 7.2 seconds on two head placing me second in the average and advancing me to the semifinals, which featured the top eight. The time of 3.6 seconds must have been my lucky time that weekend. I stopped the clock in 3.6 seconds for the third straight time to win the semifinals, giving me the advantage of going last in the final sudden-death round. After turning in three 3.6-second runs, I figured it was time to change things up a bit so I stopped the clock in 3.4 seconds to take the victory over Josh Peek, who finished with a 4.0. All totaled, I left the Nebraska town with $31,731 and a great position heading into Las Vegas in December.
It was real important for me to close the gap as much as possible between Lee and I. Lee had been on a roll as of late and he was getting tough to catch. I am now in a good position heading to the Wrangler NFR and have hopes of successfully defending my title. It would be a true honor to win again and to do it back-to-back would make it that much sweeter.
After Omaha, Jesse let me bring Gunner back to my place in California so we can practice on him and have him ready to go to the Wrangler NFR as our backup. I plan to ride Willy with Gunner as a backup if necessary. Unfortunately, my traveling partner Jason Miller isn’t going to make it to the Finals this year and Gabe just missed qualifying.
World Champion Steer Wrestler Luke Branquinho captured the Justin Boots Championship buckle with assistance from hazer Ken Lewis and steer wrestling horse Gunner, owned by Jesse Peterson. |
So as the 2009 regular season has come to an end, that can only mean one thing for me – it is hunting time. Besides the Wrangler NFR in December, this is by far my favorite time of the year and I look forward to it like a little kid looks forward to Christmas presents. As I type this, I am getting ready to head out for a three week hunting trip that will take me to Wyoming, Montana and Idaho where we will be hunting deer and elk. This is a great time for me to just get away and relax before turning my focus back to steer wrestling. Once I return I will have the Dodge California Circuit Finals Rodeo in Norco on Nov. 20-21, then the Wrangler NFR. Right now the plan is to ride Billy’s (Bugenig) horse, Smarty, at the circuit finals and save Gunner for the Finals.
As for everything else, things are good. (My son) Cade is growing like a weed and is running all over the place now. He is talking quite a bit but many of the words I can’t understand. It is like he has his own language but it is very cute to listen to him.
Well, I better sign off so I can get the last minute things ready for my hunting trip. I will update you when I get back.
Until next time,
Luke
Two-time and reigning PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler
About Luke Branquinho
The 6-foot, 235-pounder is married to Lindsay and the couple has a son Mark Cade born June 7, 2008. His hobbies include training horses, fishing, hunting and playing golf. Diagnosed with Type II diabetes when he was 18 years old, he uses an insulin pen to get his insulin. His parents are ranchers John and Brandy Branquinho, who compete in team roping. He and his family survived a wreck in March 2002, when their rig hit a patch of ice and slid off the road. At the 2003 Redding (Calif.) Rodeo, both Luke and his elder brother Casey won event titles. Eldest brother Tony is the rodeo coach at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. When he missed the 2005 Wrangler NFR due to injury he helped call the action for the ProRodeo Radio Network. He travels with Jason Miller, Curtis Cassidy, Les Shepperson and Gabe Ledoux. For more information visit his Web site: http://www.lukebranquinho.net
Click here to go to Branquinho’s Cowboy Bio
Click here to view the results from the Justin Boots Championships, held Sept. 24-26 in Omaha, Neb.
|
For comments and information please email us at: prorodeo@prorodeo.com | For technical questions email: webmaster@prorodeo.com