2020 NFR Rookie Brady Portenier at the El Paso Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding.
Everyone always says, "follow your dreams!" But not everyone does it. Turning his passion and dream into a career 25-year-old, Brady Portenier of Caldwell Idaho will check in as the No. 5 ranked bull rider in the World at the 2020 NFR for the first time since his quest began in 2013.
Growing up, I always wanted to be one of those guys. So this is absolutely everything I ever could have wanted or asked for. I’m really blessed that it’s happening this way,” Portenier said. “I just love it. I love the adrenaline and the danger of it, I suppose.”
Pulling his rope for the first time at the National Finals Rodeo, Portenier endured seven years of ups and down to achieve his dream. Earning $73,10572. Portenier rode 36 of 72 bulls for qualified rides or a career season-high of 50%. His average ride score was 82.49, and he posted two 90 point rides, both in Fort Worth winning the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show.
“Because this sport isn’t easy and for everyone. You have to be tough if you want to make it out here, and I learned a lot about myself and the type of person I really was through it all. It really showed me I was cut out for this life.”
The 6 ‘1 cowboy broke the top 20 rankings three times in his career. In 2019 he finished 19th with $80,569 in earnings. 2018 he was 20th with $86 419 in earnings, but the heartbreak was 2017.
Following a 34th place finish in 2016, Portenier won six different rodeos in bull riding, including Reno and the Elgin Stampede in Belton, Texas. He broke the six-figure mark in earnings with more than $100,000 racked up and had his best year to date with a final world ranking of 16th.
“It’s all I’ve ever known. It’s the lifestyle I want, and I wouldn't change a dang thing.".
The 25-year-old grew up learning the sport when he was six from his father, Ty, who was also a PRCA bull.,
“My buddies and I would always find a way to sneak behind the chutes,” Portenier laughed. “I got to see all those top guys that you hear about and see on TV. I suppose going there gave me a good idea about what being a real rodeo cowboy was all about.”
After qualifying for the National High School Finals Rodeo as a junior in 2012, the 2013 Middleton graduate elected not to go to college but rather start his professional career almost immediately. Following a year on his permit, a severe leg injury marred his first two years on the PRCA Tour.
After being bucked off, the bull stepped on his leg and nearly snapped it in half. He was entirely out of action for the next sixth months, and it hampered him for another year and a half after that.
“There were many times where I couldn’t even afford to go back out on the road for another rodeo because I hardly had anything in my bank account,” Portenier said. “But I handled that, and looking back on it; I'm grateful for those whoopings. I needed the experience of working through something like that.”