Bronc rider Brock Winn shows passion in 2nd-place showing at nationals

When Brock Winn was 14 years old, he bought a bronc saddle and has never looked back since. The Ferron, UT native put himself in the national spotlight placing second at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in saddle bronc riding.

CNFR, often called the ‘Rose Bowl’ of college rodeo, is a grueling week-long proving ground for hundreds of the top schools in the nation, all looking to bring home a national title. Fans flock from all over and gather in Casper, WY to watch the action. The atmosphere can intimidate some.

Not Winn. The sophomore in his second year of college competition rose to the occasion and took the Casper Arena by storm.

Winn feels that the extra lights, fans, and excitement help him rise to the occasion and compete his best.

“It’s the next level up,” Winn said. “It gets you going and makes you want to compete your best.”

Winn did just that, putting together some of the best rides of the week while proving himself as one of the best in the nation. Winn had two solid rides to start the week, posting scores of 75 and 73 respectively. This put him in second place behind Texas A&M’s Jacobs Crawley going into his third go round.

“He rode better back there than I have ever seen him ride. He was exceptional.” — UVU rodeo coach Shane Draper

Winn drew a horse called Matterhorn for his third go, who would provide Winn with the ride of his life as he scored an impressive week-best score of 76.

After the ride the announcer exclaimed, “And that, folks, is what you call a beautiful ride.”

Winn knew the ride was good and was very pleased when he looked to the scoreboard.  The result put him in a comfortable first place going into the short (final) round.

Winn was particularly proud of his final ride. “I had a really good horse, Elvis. He bucked really hard, and I felt like I rode him really good”

The ride gave him a total score of 302 points (two points behind the Crawley), earning him second place in the nation. Winn’s performance left UVU rodeo head coach Shane Draper more than impressed.

“He rode better back there than I have ever seen him ride,” Draper said. “He was exceptional.”

Winn grew on his family ranch in Ferron, UT  where his love for rodeo began. Ever since he was young, he looked up to his father and drew inspiration from him. Following in his father’s steps, Winn naturally gravitated to the saddle bronc event.

“That’s what my dad did and ever since I was young that’s the one that interested me the most,” Winn said.

Winn competed for Emery High School in local high school rodeos. He was also a wrestler, but committed to UVU to continue his rodeo career. When he’s not conquering the rodeo grounds, the aviation major takes to the air.

“I’d like to fly helicopters,” Winn said. “I don’t know a whole lot now, but it really interests me.”

Finding time for school, ranch work, family life, and rodeo can be difficult for Winn, but a great work ethic and dedication helps Winn to excel in all facets of his life, something Draper appreciates as an example to the rest of the team.

“He’s just an outstanding man all around,” Draper said. “He’s a great example for the younger guys.”

Winn has a wife, Aubrey, and a son, Jett, both of whom are very supportive, Winn says. They attend nearly every rodeo, making it a family event.

Looking to the future, Winn wants to continue his schooling and competing in saddle bronc riding, with the ultimate goal of reaching the professional National Finals Rodeo.

Winn’s wife Aubrey summed up who Brock Winn is best.

“He does it all,” she said. “He’s still a good dad, he supports us, and then he hits the rodeo road and does a good job.”