Bareback rider Steiner headed to semis
Like father — unlike son. Rodeo Hall of Famer Sid Steiner was all business when he competed. His son, 19-yearold Rocker Steiner, prefers to keep it loose. “When I nod my head, that’s when it gets serious,” Rocker said. “But behind the chutes, and in the locker room, I’m pretty jovial. I just wait until I get in the chute to activate game mode.”
That’s when they turn into the same person — one who loves to win.
“It’s been neat to see his enthusiasm, and that is a lot like how I was,” said Sid, who retired after winning the steer wrestling world title in 2002. “Just like in any sport, some people do well, and they compartmentalize it and hold it in, and some people can’t help but celebrate and let it out — and that’s how Rocker and I are.
“If things go well, you know it.”
Things went very well in Rocker’s second go-round — a win that helped propel the long-haired bareback rider back to the Rodeo Houston semifinals. He finished second in Super Series IV with $4,750 on Saturday at NRG Stadium. Veteran Will Lowe, the 2003 Houston champion, won the series with $6,250 after taking Round 3.
“He loves the bright lights,” Sid said.
Sid, 48, thought the NRG lights might blind Rocker in his first trip here last year, but he “kept his shades on,” winning his series and semifinal, and advancing to the championship Shootout, where he finished second to Jess Pope. But that showing, in only his seventh rodeo, helped him reach the National Finals Rodeo as a rookie.
“He’s an athletic kid who has a lot of try and a really good attitude, and he’s coachable,” Sid said. “He has a lot of passion for the sport.”
He also has a famous rodeo family behind him.
Rocker’s mom, Jamie, and his grandparents, Bobby and Joleen Steiner, joined Sid to cheer on their favorite cowboy this week. Sid said he’s more anxious watching his son than when he competed. He was particularly worried Friday night, knowing Rocker’s draw was a tough one. But Rocker was cool enough for both of them.
“He just patted me on the back and said enjoy the show,” Sid said, shaking his head.
He won the round with an 86 — and he’s quick to credit dad for the competitive edge he brings to every ride.
“What I’ve learned from him is you always have to ride with a chip on your shoulder,” Rocker explained. “You have to ride angry. You ride to prove your worth, and prove that you do belong here. So no matter how many rodeos I win, or how many gold buckles I claim, I’ll always ride with a chip on my shoulder.”
Dad, however, says he’s the student now.
“I’ve tried to teach him all these lessons — but really I’ve been learning from him,” Sid said.
Paige Jones is learning, too. The 21-year-old barrel racer from Wayne, Okla., made the Houston semis in her first time competing here last year, but says she didn’t “show up” as her horse’s jockey when it mattered most. “I rode him terrible, and so we didn’t move on, and then I ran in the Wild Card and I just wasn’t fast enough.”
Now she’s letting Bazinga take the lead — right back into the semifinals.
Jones won the first and third rounds, and her series with $8,000. Jones and Bazinga circled the barrels in 14.67 seconds Saturday. “I’ve tried to stay calm in my riding, be easy with him, and let him go out and do his job,” Jones said.
Ryder Wright did his job, too, winning the saddle bronc series with $5,000. The two-time world champion won Round 3 with 85 points on San Luis. Older brother Rusty Wright also advanced in third with $3,250.
Trey Benton reigned in bull riding, winning with $8,000. He placed second in the first goround and won the next two, scoring 89 points Saturday on Indigenous — a bull that bucks off 92% of its would-be riders. Josh Garner ($5,750) was the top steer wrestler, Tuf Case Cooper ($4,875) took first in tiedown, Samantha Fulton ($5,500) emerged in breakaway, and team ropers Kreece Thompson and Caleb Hendrix split a series-high $12,000.