LAS VEGAS – The communication between teammates is vital in sports.
Quarterbacks call a play in the huddle, then use phrases, signals and motions to make adjustments to the offense.
Steer wrestler Bridger Anderson is doing something similar with his hazer, 2017 world champion Tyler Pearson. It's paying off to the tune of $111,625 earned over nine nights at the National Finals Rodeo, the latest payday coming Friday night when he grappled his cow to the ground in 3.8 seconds to finish in a three-way tie for second place.
"We've got a system," Anderson said of the duo's silent code. "When I grab the saddle horn, he takes off because I'm about to nod, and he's got my tell down to where I've got 100 percent confidence he's going to serve that steer up in the hardest place ever to haze. He just does a heck of a job, and I'm sure happy he's here.
"I would argue that Pearson's the best guy going right now and the best in this yellow pen with Metallica."
It's certainly been advantageous. With Anderson on his horse, Whiskers, and Pearson riding his horse, Metallica, Anderson has placed six times, with his most recent coming in at $22,080. The bulldogger is sixth in the world standings with $220,953, so half his season earnings have come inside the tight confines of the Thomas & Mack Center.
"This is the most times I've ever placed in an NFR, and we're not even done yet," said Anderson, a three-time qualifier from Carrington, North Dakota. "We've got one more round. It's been a good week so far. Other than a couple of things that I could have changed and probably (getting a better start) a little more, we could have placed deeper.
"You can't complain when you get to run 10 steers in this yellow pen."
No, just advancing to ProRodeo's grand finale is an accomplishment. Placing on two-thirds of the first nine rounds is just icing on the cake.
"We finally drew on the better end tonight," he said. "I've had some decent ones this wee but none of the ones you really want, the great ones. This one tonight was outstanding. I blased the barrier and made a good run.
"For (Saturday night), I wouldn't mind drawing on the good end again and just finish this deal out strong. I'd love to win the round and hopefully take home some hardware."
