Veteran team roping heeler Tanner Braden will make his long-awaited debut at Thomas and Mack

The best season of his career for Oklahoma’s Tanner Braden earned him his first appearance in the National Finals Rodeo. The No. 9 heeler in the world worked with Cyle Denison all season long to earn $124,959 to secure his ticket to the big show.

RodeoHouston, $14,250

The second highest winning day of Braden’s season came early on at the Texas Swing. In Houston, Braden joined Andrew Ward as the third-best team from Super Series 1. A 5.5-second run in the semifinals propelled them into the championship round. In the Championship Shootout, Braden and Denison 5.4 secured a tie for third place.

St. Paul Rodeo, $3,303

Over Cowboy Christmas, Braden battled with Denison as they stopped the clock at 5.1 seconds and finished third on Lap 1 at one of the race’s most famous rodeos on the Fourth of July. Although this was her only payday in St. Paul, it kicked off the summer.

They increased their Cowboys Christmas success at the Home of Champions when a 3.5-second run in Montana was fast enough to win by half a second over world champion duo Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira.

Cache County Fair and Rodeo, $4,597

Braden’s first win of August came in Utah by 4.2 seconds. This run would take over the leaderboard, pushing a four-way tie for second place by three-tenths of a second and adding to Braden’s outstanding season.

Puyallup Rodeo, $11,475

Braden’s journey to Puyallup began with a 4.7-second run before he and Denison reached the semifinals with 11.1 to two, where they were 4.3 seconds. In the final he caught a leg and got a score of 9.7, but it was still good enough for a second and Braden’s third-highest payday.

Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup, $22,500

The final weekend of the regular season gave Braden his first NFR and was also his highest paid day of the season. A pair of 3.9 seconds got Braden and Denison into the semi-finals and that alone was enough to put them well into the top 15 in the world.

“Meet the NFR Athletes” is presented by Montana Silversmiths #EveryBuckleHasAStory #BrandOfChampions #FromGreatToGold