Bradlee Miller is heading to his first career NFR after a late-season push not only got him off of the bubble, but nearly put him inside the Top 10. Miller earned $137,365 on the year, and more than $40,000 of it came in the final month of the season.
National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, $7,350
The end of Miller’s season will get a lot of space in this breakdown, but he also started the season hot. In Denver, three of his four rides were marked 83 points or better, including in the Finals, where he rode Guardian Angel for 86 points and second place money.
La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, $5,131
Shortly after the National Western, Miller added another nice payday at another non-Texas Swing Playoff Series Rodeo. He was marked 82 and 86.5 to finish second in the Average in Tucson, the latter of those two rides was on Empty Promises of Andrews Rodeo to win the Finals.
Black Hills Roundup, $3,701
Miller added a win to his resume at the Black Hills Roundup where he was 88 points on Cajun Queen. It was his highest marked ride over Cowboy Christmas with the second-highest being an 87-pointer for fourth in Oakley City, Utah. At this point in the season, Miller was ranked No. 12 in the PRCA World Standings.
Cinch Playoffs Puyallup, $9,519
Miller slipped to No. 18 by the beginning of the final month of the regular season and needed a big September to qualify for the NFR, and that is exactly what he got by showing up big at three of the highest paying rodeos all season.
The stretch got started in Puyallup at the Cinch Playoffs, but it got off on the wrong foot when he was 78 on his first horse there. He rebounded with an 85 which won him the Second Round of Playoff 2 and more importantly, advanced him to the Semifinals, where he was 87.5 points.
In the Finals, he got himself right back in the NFR mix with an 89.5-point ride on Yipee Kibbitz won him $6,500 for third.
North Dakota Roughrider Cup, $12,173
The biggest win of his late-season run came at the North Dakota Roughrider Cup where he placed second. Miller matched up with Macza Pro Rodeo’sSunday Stepper for an 86.5-point ride and earned over $12,000 at the one-header rodeo.
Governor’s Cup Cinch Playoff Series Championship, $10,486
Miller’s season ended with a bang at the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls. He opened the rodeo with an 85.5-point ride to place second in the First Round and followed it up with an 85-point ride to punch his ticket to the Semifinals. While he didn’t place in the Semifinals, he was still paid $3,600 for just getting there.
All told, it was more than enough to get him to his first National Finals as the 11th ranked bareback rider.
Meet the NFR Athletes is presented by Montana Silversmiths #EveryBuckleHasAStory #BrandOfChampions #FromGreatToGold
