Ben Andersen’s ‘mature’ approach pays off at RodeoHouston
HOUSTON, Texas — Ben Andersen has learned a thing or two since starting his PRORODEO career.
In the past, the three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Alberta, Canada, didn’t spend much time game planning for his trips. But recently, he’s opted to spend more and more time preparing for each matchup.
The strategy paid off on Wednesday night during the Super Series III Championship in saddle bronc riding at RodeoHouston. Andersen matched Calgary Stampede’s Xena Warrior for an 89-point ride to win the round, top his bracket and clinch a spot in the semifinals.
“I’ve definitely matured in my life and my career,” Andersen told the PRORODEO Sports News. “It helps a lot to know your bucking horses and make a game plan. I used to never make a game plan. Now, I make a game plan, come in and try to execute accordingly. And it’s been a lot better.”
Andersen, who qualified for the NFR in 2021, 2023 and 2024, racked up $5,500 during his first three days at NRG Stadium. The total earned him the Super Series III win and a chance to strum a guitar in front of a packed house.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever won a guitar, so it’s pretty sweet,” Andersen said. “I threw it. I was fine with throwing it in the air, but I asked the lady, ‘Can I break this.’ And she’s said no, so I thought I better catch it. We caught it, and it was pretty cool.”
The other three semifinal qualifiers out of the bracket were Kolby Wanchuk ($4,000), Logan Hay ($3,000) and Chase Brooks ($2,250). They’ll join the eight qualifiers out of the other four brackets on March 19-20 at NRG Stadium.
Andersen set the tone on his first trip with an 82.5-point ride aboard Generations Pro Rodeo’s Pearl on Monday to place fifth and earn $500. He followed it with an 85.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Frontier Acres in Round 2.
The Eckville, Alberta, native was the last saddle-bronc rider out Wednesday and needed more than 86.5 points to seal the deal. Thankfully, he knew plenty about his Xena Warrior from three prior rides atop the NFR bucking horse.
“She’s so fun,” Andersen said of his draw. “Honestly, I was just trying to get her to stand well in the chute because the last time I rode her, she was leaning so bad on me … She kind of popped a little wheelie in there. Once she hit the ground, I was heading outside, and we were rolling.”
Andersen plans to maintain the same approach when he returns to the semifinals, searching for a chunk of the PRORODEO Playoff Series rodeo’s $2.5 million purse.
“I’ll talk to God about it if I have worry,” Andersen said. “Then I’ll get on, ride buckers and soak every minute of it up.”
Other Super Series III winners included bareback rider Dean Thompson ($6,500), steer wrestler Cash Robb ($5,500), team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord ($7,000 each), tie-down roper Riley Webb ($6,000), barrel racer Emily Beisel ($5,500) and bull rider Trevor Reiste ($9,000).
–PRCA
