Ben Andersen is making his first back-to-back appearance at the National Finals Rodeo after his debut at the Thomas & Mack in 2021. The Canadian saddle bronc rider lands as the No. 14 cowboy in the World and finishing with $160,940 at the end of last season, he enters with $127,285 in 2024.
Brad Gjermundson Xtreme Broncs, $8,273
Andersen’s season started in October when he wound up at the pay window in New Town, North Dakota. After a 71-point ride to kick things off, he rebounded with an 85 in Round 2 and 86.5 in the Finals, which got him $3,516 for each ride. He added another $1,241 for eighth in the Average.
Rapid City Xtreme Broncs, $4,429
An 89-point ride aboard the great bronc of Burch Rodeo, Lunatic From Hell, would be Andersen’s highest marked ride of the regular season and it came in an arena buried in the Black Hills. The 89 would be third in the Finals after an 84.5 advanced him.
RodeoHouston, $8,250
The Texas Swing’s third leg would start with a matchup with Calgary Stampede’s Welcome Delivery and that horse helped him to tie for first in Round 1. Andersen made it to Championship Sunday thanks to four straight rides of 81 points or more.
Casey Tibbs Match of Champions Xtreme Broncs, $3,161
In June, Andersen would go back to South Dakota to finish seventh in the Long Round with an 82.5 but would best that by four points in the Finals after nodding his head on Sutton Rodeo’s South Point. In the Finals, he was second to first-time NFR qualifier Zac Dallas, who was marked 89 points.
Ogden Pioneer Days, $6,488
With Korkow Rodeo’s Joker Poker’s name next to Andersen’s, the duo put up a score of 87 points in the middle of July. He missed the win by just a half point to Kade Bruno and Lefty Holman.
He followed it up making sure to get the win at the Last Chance Stampede in Montana that same weekend, A trip on C5 Rodeo’s Shattered Lunatic was worth 88 points.
Farm-City Pro Rodeo, $3,123
Andersen kicked off the month of August with a payday thanks to a successful effort in Oregon. His draw in Hermiston was The Calgary Stampede’s Exciting Bubbles and his ride was worth 87.5 points and got him fourth place money.
Magic Valley Stampede, $3,394
An 87-point ride would be good enough for second-place in Idaho. This ride came upon Big Bay of Sankey Pro Rodeo and Phenom Genetics to finish just behind Dawson Hay and just ahead Kolby Wanchuck, sending the Top 3 pay checks home with Canadians.
In Washington that same week, Andersen added to his earnings when he covered Ragin’ Lunatic of Brookman Rodeo for 88 points.
Meet the NFR Athletes is presented by Montana Silversmiths #EveryBuckleHasAStory #BrandOfChampions #FromGreatToGold
