BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
After a solid rookie season had him No. 32 in the final World Standings in 2023, Joel Harris quickly proved that he was up to the test to compete with rodeo’s best this year. The 22-year-old will make his NFR debut in 2024, joining his brother Ty.
Columbia River Circuit Finals, $7,532
Harris showed early on in the 2024 season this could be his year. At the Circuit Finals, he made three straight runs of 8.9 or 9.0 seconds and won the Average with 26.8 seconds on three. Harris was one of three cowboys with three qualified times.
Cinch Roping Fiesta, $4,409
The Columbia River Circuit Finals were his first rodeo of the 2024 season and he stayed hot in the second. Harris placed in the first two rounds of the Cinch Roping Fiesta and finished sixth in the Average.
RodeoHouston, $25,570
One of the best moments of the 2024 regular season came in Houston and Joel was a part of it. In the Shootout, he and his older brother Ty were both 8.2 seconds, leading to a rope-off for the title, which was won by Ty. Joel, however, still walked away with more money at one rodeo than he had ever made in his career.
Snake River Stampede, $10,111
Harris’ biggest payday of the summer came in Nampa, Idaho, where he finished second in the Average with a time of 24.1 seconds on three head. Along the way, he won Round 2 with a 7.2, the fastest run of his career.
Farm-City Pro Rodeo, $8,212
In August, Harris picked up his lone PRCA Playoff Series win of the 2024 season and he did so despite not placing on his first calf. After a 9.8 in Round 1, Harris came back with a 7.8 to win Round 2 which powered him to win the Average by one tenth. Fellow NFR qualifiers Cole Clemons, Kincade Henry, and Tuf Cooper also finished in the money.
North Dakota Roughrider Cup, $4,216
Entering the event No. 12 in the World Standings, Harris left no doubt and shored up his spot at the NFR at the inaugural event in Mandan by making an 8.4-second run to finish in a tie for sixth.
Meet the NFR Athletes is presented by Montana Silversmiths #EveryBuckleHasAStory #BrandOfChampions #FromGreatToGold
