The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News is an equine and rodeo publication with circulation in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.
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met, and he added, "It's been cool to see the new places where I've went. I love the new people, new rodeos, and new setups. It's kind of cool to see new parts of the country that I've never seen before." Heading into the rest of the summer, Bodie has his sights set first on winning a national championship at the College National Finals Rodeo in June. He will be representing the University of Wyoming in the calf roping and the team roping, and just recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in marketing as well as management. Post CNFR, Bodie's plan is to go as hard as he can, while also hitting some circuit rodeos. His goal for this year is to finish in the top 35 in both of his events so he can qualify for the winter rodeos and set himself up well for next year. Bryce has full intentions of making the NFR, and currently is on track to do just that. Bryce is a big believer in "staying positive and not getting too low on yourself. Just keep your head up, and keep climbing! Make your runs when you get a good calf, and execute your parts of the run." Throughout the summer, Bryce plans to appreciate his runs and take them one at a time. "I want to rope one calf at a time. Every rodeo is a new day, I want to rope the calf I have and see what I can do on them." When asked what the biggest takeaway from this experience so far has been, Bodie said, "Every run matters. It doesn't matter if you are at a $1,000 added rodeo or one of the biggest ones of the year, every run and every dollar matters. You need to take it seriously and try to win as much as you can on what they draw you." He also strongly suggests making friends, communicating with everyone, and putting yourself out there because, "you never know when you are going to need them." For Bryce, he is learning more and more about the process as the rodeos progress. "I haven't learned any major lessons yet besides when to get to rodeos and how to get to rodeos, but we are still Bodie Mattson & Carson Johnson roping at the College National Finals Rodeo. Photo Credit: Jackie Jensen Photography very early on into the season." Support is everything, and both cowboys agreed having people in your corner is essential to your success. "My parents [Jay & Melinda] are the ones who have mounted me since I was young, taught me everything I know, and have had my back for forever. I owe a lot to them," said Bodie. Bryce states, "I would like to thank 777 performance horses, 777 Western Marketing, my parents Richard & Victoria, my brother Jacob, Rich Newton, TiAda Gray, and friends and family. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am." Most importantly, Bryce would like to mention "All thanks goes to the Lord, he has got me places I haven't ever gotten before. He's blessed me in so many different ways." If you'd like to follow these cowboy and their summer run, you can find them on Instagram: @bodie_mattson_1 and @derrer.roping. Bryce at the American Semi-Finals in 2022 Photo courtesy of Bryce Derrer