The grinder
To pitch in while crashing at his friend’s ranch, Howlett tends to the cattle and does some welding.
Howlett sold everything back home in Australia several years ago to relocate to America and pursue the rodeo life. It’s been a rewarding but pricey undertaking.
By his calculations, the 29-year-old needs to make about $45,000 in prize money over a season to cover his costs (including his visa). In 2016, his earnings were listed at $6,603. He’s steadily gone up since, collecting $58,747 in ’19.
He started this season on a roll and had already raked in $35,527.84. Currently fifth in the standings, Howlett has a chance to earn something he’s long dreamed about — a spot in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Only the top 15 in each event are invited to the sport’s version of the Super Bowl, which is held in December.
“Having a year where you’re able to make money and live comfortably? That’s a huge success,” said Howlett, who counts his father — a bareback rider in Australia — as his rodeo idol. “You do this for the love of it.”
Through all the bumps and bruises — he has a stinger in his neck that flares up — he’s hopped into his minivan, or aboard a buddy’s truck, and headed down the road to the next event.
Now, he’s just biding his time like everyone else.
“You’ve got to grit your teeth and get through it,” said Howlett, who attended Western Texas College. “I love the sport, the rodeo family, the travel. I definitely love the feel of a bucking horse and all that power they’re trying to throw at you.
“You just try to hang on.”
The weekend wrangler
Fabian teaches physical education at an elementary school in upstate New York and coaches high school t rack throughout the academic year. That way, his summers are free for rodeo.
Both are on hold for Fabian, whose signature event is team roping (two cowboys on horses working in tandem to rope a steer).
Between planning online lesson for his students, he’s building a roping arena on his in-laws’ property. It will serve as a practice facility for him and his wife, Emily, who’s a barrel racer/ breakaway roper. Down the road, they envision giving lessons.
Fabian competes on the First Frontier Circuit, which is a series of PRCA events held in the Northeast. He’s successful, too, capturing several year-end titles. He and his wife are hoping to add even more events to their itinerary this summer.
Sure, he’s thought about traveling around and competing on rodeo’s biggest stages. But this way there’s a steady paycheck thanks to teaching.
“We just want to be able to enjoy the rodeo as much as we can,” Fabian explained. “And never really have it be that financial burden in the back of your head, where you have to win to keep going.”