We first met steer wrestler Bridger Anderson at the 2017 Junior NFR back in December in Las Vegas. The tall, lanky 19-year-old impressed with his abilities to handle the pressure of the Ote Berry Junior Steer Wrestling World Championship competition. 

He came into the short round 0.3 seconds behind the No. 1 cowboy in the average and laid down a 4.0-second run to ultimately win the title with his time of 13.2 seconds on three head.

Anderson grew up on a ranch with his parents, who instilled the western lifestyle’s classic values of kindness and respect in the youngster that shine clearly through his personality today. He craved to be a cowboy—and, for a short period, something else entirely.

“I can’t remember a time that I wanted to be anything else,” Anderson said. “But one night while watching the NFR when I was 3 years old, my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told her that I wanted to be a paleontologist and a professional steer wrestler. 

“I eventually gave up on the dinosaur-digging gig but I never lost interest in bulldogging.”

From passing dreams of digging for dinosaurs to the reality of digging his heels in the dirt to wrestle steers down, Bridger Anderson is one to watch in 2018 as he hits the college and professional rodeo circuits. 

Bridger Anderson:

Hometown: Carrington, North Dakota

Age: 19

College: Freshman, Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Pursuing: Ag Business Degree

Event: Steer Wrestling

The Rank: No. 1

When did you get your start steer wrestling? 

I started chute dogging in 6th grade and I started jumping steers in 8th grade.

Did you grow up in the cowboy lifestyle? 

Yes, I grew up helping my family on our ranch and going to rodeos with my parents. 

What is your biggest accomplishment to date?

My biggest accomplishment so far is probably making the Short Go of the National Western Stock Show in Denver as a senior in high school and The American Semi-Finals that same year.

What was it like getting to compete at The American? 

The American is a great rodeo. It’s a chance to change a cowboy’s life tremendously. 

The last two years have been frustrating for me there due to falling short of advancing in the top 20 by a couple simple mistakes. The rodeo is still always a great time and fun to go to. 

What do you like to do when you’re not steer wrestling?

When I find the time I like to hang out with friends, or during rodeos I really like to go to Top Golf, see a movie, or go bowling if we need to find something to do. 

Do you have any steer wrestling superstitions or rituals? 

My main superstition is never put a cowboy hat on a bed. 

What is your prep routine before you compete?

To prep for my run, I don’t really do anything special. I get a good warmup in on my horse, make sure I know my draw, figure out the start if I can, visualize my run, stretch a little bit, then run my steer. 

Tell us about the horse you compete on?

The horse I compete on is named Whiskers ("Teller I Pass"). I bought Whiskers from Tyler and Jackie Schau of Diamond S Performance Horses last year. He is 9 years old. 

Any special/odd talents?

I am a decent swing dancer. 

Favorite Song

I have many favorite songs but “Looking for Love” by Johnny Lee is up towards the top. 

Favorite Food

My favorite food is a T-bone with cheesy hash browns. 

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