Photo Credit: Matt Cohen Chase Dougherty checks into Las Vegas as No. 5
Chase Dougherty, a three-time Oregon High School Bull Riding Champion enters Las Vegas as the No. 5 ranked bull rider and the second highest ranked contestant competing for the first time at the PRCA National Finals Rodeo. Dougherty, a second-generation cowboy is following in his father’s footsteps as a bull rider and credited his father for his success.
“More than anything he taught me how to be a cowboy and just never quit and have a never-die attitude,” Dougherty said. “Don’t let go until you hit the ground. If you’re in a bad spot, just get out of it.”
The 20-year-old cowboy was born in Portland, Oregon and currently living in Canby. Dougherty Joined the PRCA in 2016, and less than two years later he qualified for his first NFR with $109,349.48 earned and a 51.38 ride average in PRCA competition.
Chase launched his NFR bid in January winning the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver with 252.5 points and an $8,262 check. He would also win the California Rodeo Salinas, and the RAM Columbia River Circuit Finals. He posted his first PRCA 90 point ride in October at the Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco.
He graduated from Canby (Ore.) High School in 2016 where he played football, wrestled and was a pole vaulter in high school. After winning three state bull riding titles, he was recruited for the Montana State University rodeo team where head coach Any Bolich had this to say during his freshman year (2017).
“He is just a really mentally tough kid as far as bull riding,” said Bolich after recruiting him for the Bobcats. “He is a student of the sport and works at his game all the time. As you know, they kind of live for moments like this where the crowd is big and is loud.”
Chase competed for MSU with success in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, but his coach and teammates were aware he was going to make a full-time career out of bull riding. “It’s that kind of mental toughness that will get him to the next level,” said Bolich.
“All week long he’s in the gym and working on his balance,” the coach described. “He rides a unicycle — all of these things pay off. That work really shows through in the arena.”
In 2017, the 5’11, 140 pound Dougherty finished in the PRCA World Standings in 19th place with $72,754.00. In 2018 he won six PRCA event titles. Professional
2018 Highlights
• Won the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (Denver, Colo.)
• Won the California Rodeo Salinas
• Won the Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo
• Won the Ram Columbia River Circuit Finals (Yakima, Wash.)
• Won the PRCA Last Stand Rodeo (Coulee City, Wash.)
• Co-champion at the Sheriff's PRCA Rodeo (San Bernardino, Calif.)
Chase Dougherty