Tyler Waguespack is ranked No. 13 in the world after a 3.4-second run that won him the inaugural Roughrider Cup in Mandan, North Dakota, giving him a shot at making his 10th National Finals Rodeo.
“That (win) saved my year,” he said. “I remember telling my wife last week that I was going to go hard all the way through Mandan, and if I did well there, I’d keep going. If not, I was going to load up, head home, and get ready for next year.”
Waguespack, who has won the last three World Titles, remains on the bubble heading into the final weekend of the season—an unusual position for him.
“I’ve always been fortunate,” he said. “I’ve always been up there toward the top. It’s anybody’s ball game right now. Whoever has the best week this week is going to be the one who moves on to Vegas. So this is kind of a new experience.”
Waguespack’s situation stems from a torn bicep that sidelined him for all of June and July. He picked up a check at his first rodeo back in Dodge City, which boosted his confidence for the remainder of the season. The original plan from his doctor had him out until November.
“When he told me that, I said, ‘That’s not right.’ So as soon as I got out of surgery, we started rehabbing, stretching, and getting everything going again. Six and a half weeks after surgery, I was running steers.”
Waguespack said he was in a lot of pain when he first returned, but winning helped him push through for the few seconds each run required.
In the final weekend of the season, he’ll compete in Stephenville, Texas; Mona, Utah; Poway, California; and San Bernardino, California.
“By the end of this week, two guys are going to be in the crying hole. There are a bunch of great guys out there, and it’s anybody’s ball game.”
