Tuf Cooper Continuing To Roll in Early 2024 With Big Victory at Tucson

Tuf Cooper needed a late regular season surge in 2023 to make the National Finals Rodeo. Over the final 30 days of the regular season, the Decatur, Texas native took part in 19 rodeos, earning nearly $30,000 to get over the cut line and into the NFR.

Once he got to Las Vegas, the veteran tie-down roper vaulted himself into the top five of the world standings, his first-time top-five finish since 2018.

Since that moment, it’s been all go and no woah. And things show no signs of slowing anytime soon.

“I’ve been keeping the momentum going really from that last fourth quarter sprint of the regular season last year. I went into Vegas and decided I was just going to keep roping good and I’m going to stay on the gas,” Cooper said.

The latest in a string of recent successes for Cooper came in Tucson, Ariz., as he won both rounds and the average title at the La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros Rodeo. Cooper posted a time of 8.6 in the first-go to set the tone, followed by a run of 8.9 seconds in the finals. His aggregate time of 17.5 seconds was a full two seconds better than runner-up Cole Robinson (19.6).

When Tuf Cooper enters the Short Round No. 1 and gets a good calf like that, he's going to beat you every time pic.twitter.com/qWnGKe8MPQ
— The Cowboy Channel (@Cowboy_Channel) February 26, 2024

While it's the first outright title for Cooper in the 2024 season, it’s one of many significant moments that have led to more than $30,000 in earnings already and a spot in the top five of the world standings.

Cooper earned money in each of his four runs at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver back in January. He also picked up some money at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in February. His efforts in Tucson were worth almost $10,500. The win at La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros was his first since capturing the title 10 years ago.

Last year, Cooper spent much of the season finding balance between competition and fatherhood. He and his wife, Tiffany, welcomed their daughter, Tru Fashion, in September 2022. The desire to compete on the pro rodeo circuit while also being present as a father and husband was sometimes difficult to balance. It led to the need for that late-season surge that got him to NFR, as Cooper focused more on being home than in the arena.

The family has found a rhythm that works thus far, with Cooper hitting things hard for a few days before coming home to spend time with the family.

The result – a strong open to the season that has Cooper in position to compete for his first world title since winning the tie-down crown in 2014.

For a competitor who has qualified 15 times for the NFR, it’s a good start he hopes to continue building on.

“You win early, it gives you the feeling of ‘World Championship’ throughout the whole year. You’re able to rope more relaxed and more confident through the season,” Cooper said. “It really sets you up for a possible title, which is what we all do it for.”

Other results from La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros

Dean Thompson won the bareback riding average championship with 173 points on two head. In all, Thompson earned $7,310 at the rodeo.

Tanner Brunner posted an aggregate time of 10.2 seconds on two head in steer wrestling to win the average. He totaled $6,840 in earnings.

Team ropers Cody Snow and Hunter Koch won the average with a time of 10.3 seconds on two head. They each earned $10,095.

Saddle bronc rider Statler Wright posted 169 points on two head to win the average, earning $6,614.

Chelsea A. Moore captured the barrel racing title with 34.49 seconds on two runs. Moore took home $7,045 from the rodeo.

Bull rider Chase Dougherty was the only competitor to ride two head, posting an aggregate score of 176.5 points to earn $13,764.

Kyle Lucas won the all-around title after competing in tie-down and team roping. He earned $6,562 in total.