Steer wrestling is considered the football of the rodeo. The contestants need to be strong and agile to slide off a horse to "bulldog" - wrestle stubborn steers that weigh 450 to 600 pounds.
Naturally, reigning world champion Dean Gorsuch wrestled and played football in high school in Nebraska. He said he had the chance to play Division II college football but thought he had a brighter future in the family business of steer wrestling.
The third-generation bulldogger won the world championship at the National Finals Rodeo in 2006 and 2010 and earned $186,477 last year.
Gorsuch, 31, is competing here this week at the 86th annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros.
"I've always wanted to be at the NFR and win the world, so it's kind of like a dream come true for me to do it for a living," he said. "My dad and my granddad bulldogged. They just never had the opportunity to really go to these big rodeos like I have."
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In steer wrestling, the contestant pulls even to the steer, slides off his horse and grasps the steer's horns to turn it. The winner is the contestant who is quickest to stop a steer and bring it to the ground with its legs in the same direction.
Before he competed in Tuesday's slack competition, Gorsuch discussed the serious injuries he has sustained, the similarities between steer wrestling and other sports and the odd job he worked before rodeo.
Work. Before he became a world-champion steer wrestler, Gorsuch worked as a pipeline welder for Kinder Morgan in Nebraska for five years until his breakthrough at RodeoHouston in 2005.
"I miss some things about working. I miss the steady paycheck," he said with a laugh. "You knew what you were going to get paid every two weeks. Now you might not get paid for a couple months if you don't do good."
Sports. Gorsuch was an inside linebacker in high school. Both steer wrestling and football require teamwork. In rodeo, a hazer rides alongside the right side of the steer to keep it running in a straight line before the contestant wrestles the steer. "There's lot of discipline like in any sport," he said.
Injuries. Gorsuch underwent reconstructive surgery on his right knee 10 years ago. His pectoral muscle was pulled off the bone in 2007 when a steer stopped behind the horse and jerked his right arm back. He said the pectoral muscle injury was more difficult to recover from, as his arm was in a brace for three months and he had trouble lifting small things, like a pen or soda can.
"When you first come back, you're timid about catching steers, but not anymore," he said. "If we're timid, we probably won't win much."
Family. Gorsuch has two sons, Taydon, 5, and Trell, 2, who during the school year stay in Gering, Neb., with Gorsuch's wife, Bekah, who manages a Hampton Inn.
"Without her job, we couldn't make this job work, and I have really good sponsors that help me out," Gorsuch said.
Taydon loves football and basketball, but Trell has embraced rodeo. "He goes to bed with his hat and his spurs," Gorsuch said.
Gorsuch said he wants to win another world title, and he'll rodeo for maybe another five years.
"I don't want to miss everything with my boys," he said.
On StarNet: More photos from La Fiesta de los Vaqueros throughout the week at azstarnet.com/gallery
IF YOU GO
• When: Through Sunday
• Where: Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave.
• Tickets and information: www.tucsonrodeo.com, 741-2233
SCHEDULE
TODAY
Timed events competition (Slack)
• 8 a.m.: Barrel racing only. Admission: $5 general admission, children under 13 free; available at the gate only. Free parking.
Thursday
Tucson Rodeo Parade
• When: 9 a.m.
Tucson Rodeo - Third performance
• 11 a.m.: Gates open
• 12:30 p.m.: Dodge Mutton Bustin' and Justin Junior Rodeo
• 2-4:30 p.m. ProRodeo competition
Tickets: $17-$23
Friday
Tucson Rodeo - Fourth performance
• 11 a.m.: Gates open
• 12:30 p.m.: Dodge Mutton Bustin' and Justin Junior Rodeo
• 2-4:30 p.m. ProRodeo competition
Tickets: $17-$23
Saturday
Tucson Rodeo - Fifth performance
• 11 a.m.: Gates open
• 12:30 p.m.: Dodge Mutton Bustin' and Justin Junior Rodeo
• 2-4:30 p.m. ProRodeo competition
Tickets: $18-$24
SUNDAY
Tucson Rodeo - Final performance
• 11 a.m.: Gates open
• 12:30 p.m.: Dodge Mutton Bustin' and Justin Junior Rodeo
• 2-4:30 p.m. ProRodeo competition.
Tickets: $20-$26
