Legend of ever-humble Etbauer still grows

Saddle bronc rider Billy Etbauer is perhaps most humble cowboy in the arena this week at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. But he need not be.

The record 20-consecutive National Finals Rodeo qualifier and five-time world champion (1992, 1996, 1999-2000, 2004) placed second in Thursday night’s performance behind 2005 world champ Jeff Willert, whose otherwise calm demeanor changed while he talked about his rodeo idol.

“He’s one to look up to,” Willert said, the excitement evident in his voice.

Etbauer, 46, doesn’t see it that way. He has a reputation as the most humble pro cowboy in every arena and as usual, he didn’t disappoint.

The ability to compete at a high level despite myriad back and leg injuries — locals may recall an ankle injury sustained during competition in Colorado Springs in 2007 — is exceptional.

Etbauer has a different word for it.

“Blessed is what that is,” he said. “I have been thoroughly blessed with enough health, ability and most importantly wonderful family and sponsors who support me.”

His will to compete was evident in 2007. Despite a month out with an ankle injury, he broke the record of 18 NFR qualifications held by Tom Reeves. He went on to win two rounds at the NFR that December.

The “Cal Ripken of Rodeo” as veteran announcer Boyd Polhamus called him Thursday continues to perform at a high level, placing second in the 2008 world standings and winning two NFR rounds to bring his total of round wins to 48. He earned $204,195 in 2008 to move toward the career $3 million earnings mark with $2.8 million as of Dec. 31.

He has won $25,153 this season.

Reaching $3 million looks like a good time to retire, but Etbauer, third in PRCA career earnings behind Trevor Brazile($3.3 million) and Joe Beaver ($2.9 million), shows no sign of slowing down. He takes care of himself in a sport that can tear up the body.

“I’ve been banged up a bit with injuries here and there but nothing major,” he said.

That good health means Etbauer, 46, sees no reason to retire anytime soon. Few in rodeo compete past their late 30s.

“A lot of people have had me retired but I haven’t done it yet,” he said.

He’s a regular in the Justin Sportsmedicine trailer at rodeos, going there for a checkup or to get a free Gatorade and say hello, like he did Thursday at Norris-Penrose Event Center. He seemed at ease talking to fellow cowboys then as he did talking about the NFR on the “Late Show with David Letterman” in 2005.

That’s why Willert looks up to the Oklahoma cowboy.

“He’s what every saddle bronc rider aspires to be,” Willert said.

RODEO NOTES

Overall winners crowned

World No. 1 saddle bronc rider Jesse James Kruse of Great Falls, Mont., rode Griz for 89 points and the top payout during the final day of the 69th Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo on Saturday while Utah’s Jessy Davis scored an 87 on the final ride of the bareback bronc competition at the Norris-Penrose Event Center to tie Oregon’s Steven Peebles for first place.

Casey McMillen’s two-head total of 7.6 seconds won in steer wrestling while the duo of Brandon Beers and Patrick Smith (8.4) prevailed in team roping. Brett Livingston of Montana won the tie down roping with a two-head total of 17.2 seconds while barrel racer Tiffany Fox had the best run (16.92) and best two-run total (34.33) in the four-day event.

Bull rider Wesley Silcox’s score of 91 from Thursday held up for the title. Casey Baize, the 2008 Pikes Peak champ, recorded a Saturday-best 88 to place second.

AFA graduate returns to rodeo

Chance Henderson has experienced the excitement of flying an F-15C , the pressure of performing surgery and competing in a tie-down roping event before a crowd.

But all that didn’t make the 1996 Air Force Academy graduate as nervous as driving through the south gate of the academy.

“It’s like I was going to get yelled at again,” he said. “I’m a major now,so no one’s yelling at me. But I still got a lump in my throat.”

Henderson, 38, was in town to compete Saturday in the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

Henderson won the Mountain States Circuit (Colo. and Wyo.) tie down roping title (then called calf roping) in 1996 and finished 19th in the world standings in 1997.

The former fighter pilot is in the first of three years of residency as an orthopedic surgeon at Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio.

The demands of an 80-hour work week have forced him to become a weekend cowboy, getting to one or two rodeos a month, while his wife, also a doctor, stays home with their young children.