Rodeo's Rising Stars

They're under 25 years old and poised to make their marks on professional rodeo. Meet the 13 young athletes you must watch in 2009.

Tuf Cooper's run to the National Finals Rodeo began roughly eight years ago when his dad walked away from competition. The "Super Looper," Roy Cooper, walked away with eight world titles and a desire to be the dad he hadn't always been to sons Clint, Clif and Tuf.

From that time on, each of the kids has worked toward becoming as good as their dad was in his heyday. Clint is a two-time NFR qualifier, and Tuf is headed for his first NFR this year despite the fact he's only 18 years old.

"I remember watching Tuf rope calf after calf in 105 degree heat last summer," Roy says. "I told him it would all pay off the next year when he was old enough to join PRCA, and now it's paying off just like I said."

The home-schooled teenager still hasn't finished his high school curriculum, but he'll be roping for his share of more than $5 million at Las Vegas' Thomas and Mack Center next month.

"I've been planning on this for a while now," Tuf says with the wide grin of a kid living his longtime dream. "I planned on trying my hardest to make the NFR. Everybody dreams of hearing their name called in Las Vegas. It's pretty exciting to know I'm so close to that goal now."

He's traveled with his dad some in the past and routinely spent summers hitting every junior rodeo the family could find, but Tuf says the biggest adjustment is simply being away from home all the time.

"It's been tough at times, but I guess I've handled it pretty well," he says. "Now, I just need to finish the season strong and see what I can do in Las Vegas."

Jake Brown
Judging by the smile on his face, you'd have thought Jake Brown had claimed a world championship on a hot July night in Farmington, New Mexico. In theory, he had done just that. He'd just earned the National High School Rodeo Association's bareback riding championship competing against a top-notch field of Americans, Canadians and Australians.

Unlike some of his Texas teammates, Jake isn't focusing on professional competition just yet. Instead, he'll rodeo for his dadrodeo coach Paul Brownat Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas, and plan on making a run at the PRCA's bareback riding rookie title in 2010.

"I've got my permit, and I'll probably just rodeo off that for two years," he says. "But watch out for me in 2010. That's when I plan on making my first trip to the NFR."

Jake recovered from a disappointing 67-point ride in the first round at the National High School Finals Rodeo with a second-round 78 that put him among the leaders going into the short round. Having seen his short-round draw earlier in the week, he knew all he needed to win the championship

Find out who else makes the list... click here.