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It’s June 1, 2002, La Junta, Colo., cowboy Dan Erickson has won $200. To a rodeo cowboy, this can mean
discouragement and most likely a Wrangler National Finals berth delayed for another year. But this 26 year old cowboy overcame the odds with an optimistic, hard working attitude coupled with pure bronc riding skill.
“If it had been me,” said wife Andra of the less than lucrative winter, “I’d have been really discouraged, but not Dan.” She describes Dan as naturally upbeat with a chipper outlook which kept him from becoming too down. His upbringing also had a lot to do with his attitude. Erickson has been raised to approach things with a positive attitude. The Ericksons believe things take care of themselves if you try your best. His father Tim’s advice from the beginning of his son’s PRCA career was, “Concentrate on riding good. Don’t get caught in the mindset of wondering why the other guy marked higher.” It happens that way in rodeo and in life, sometimes you don’t get the mark you deserve and sometimes you get more. Dan tries not to waste time or energy on being upset if a ride or run doesn’t go like he wanted. “He has a 20 minute rule,” shared Andra, “He only lets himself be mad for 20 minutes.” He even made her look at her watch after one particular buck off and when the time was up he told her, “I guess I can’t be mad anymore.”
With encouragement from his mentor and father, Erickson struck out again in June for the big rodeos. He had proven a tough competitor prior to the 2002 season racking up such kudos as setting an arena record 92 points at the Dodge National Circuit Finals rodeo in ‘01 aboard Kesler’s Painted Smiles and the circuit bronc riding title, as well as the national circuit title that same year. He won the acclaimed Linderman Award in 1999, the All-Around at Colorado Springs, and the California State High School bronc riding championship two out of three years. He possessed the skill; he just had to wait for the tide to turn. It did and he began to win. “I won $16,000 at the tour finale in Dallas and that really helped,” said Erickson.
As summer turned to fall, he moved up in the saddle bronc standings and went into the WNFR sitting 12th. Erickson received some advice from former NFR cowboy and friend, Ace Berry, on how to approach the finals. “He told me not to worry about the crowd,” said Erickson. “Don’t look at the big lights. Just concentrate on your riding.” As a ranch raised cowboy, Erickson’s demeanor is far from flamboyant and showy but his riding at his rookie finals was definitely eye catching. He rode nine of the ten buckinest horses rodeo has to offer. He spurred his way to an 88 point first place finish in the fifth round and placed in five other rounds as well. Of his nine scores only one was under the 80 mark leaving him sixth in the average and eighth in the year end standings. In his modest way Erickson described his first WNFR experience as “fun”. “By far it was the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me,” said Erickson.
En route to qualifying for the WNFR Erickson won the year end Mountain States Circuit bronc riding title and the All-Around crown. He was also able to capture the Linderman award once again. To win the award, Erickson had to win at least $1000 in each of three events, one of which must be at the opposite end of the arena. The competition is tough when you are up against men like Jesse Bail. “He (Bill Linderman) was a great all-around cowboy so it’s a real honor for me,” shared Erickson. He’ll try for a repeat of the honor this year while working the saddle bronc, calf roping and steer wrestling events.
This three event cowboy grew up in La Grange, California and became interested in saddle bronc riding because his dad had ridden bucking horses. Dan cracked out in the calf roping and bronc riding as a sophomore in high school. He also worked the steer wrestling bringing home a state title one year to go with his bronc riding and all-around titles in high school. After high school, Erickson competed in amateur rodeos and rode colts. In 1999, he followed his folks out to southern Colorado to help on their ranch. His two younger sisters also grew up ranching. Elizabeth, along with her husband Kirk Noe, works with the family in La Junta. Dallas attends the University of Northern Colorado. Erickson’s parents couldn’t be more pleased with their son’s accomplishments or in how he attained them. “He’s really worked and worked and been so dedicated,” shared his mom Bette Ann. “I appreciate his positive attitude all the time.” It brings tears to Mom’s eyes as she tells of Dan’s meekness and his desire to do what the Lord wants him to do.
The future looks bright for Erickson. He has concentrated the last two years on bronc riding, his favorite event. He is building an arena and ropes calves when he’s home. “I would like to rope more but I get put up wrong at a lot of rodeos and have to draw out (of the roping event),” explained Erickson. The tall, soft spoken cowboy’s humility is admirable but he did admit, “Someday, maybe, if I had good enough (rope) horses I might make the finals in two events.” Whether in one event or two, the WNFR is bound to see Erickson entered many more times in the years to come. When his rodeo days are gone by he wants to be at the ranch training rope horses, have his cow herd paid for, and hopefully fit in some fishing and hunting.
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