Cowboy Hunter Herrin from Apache, OK Getting Popular

After this recent rodeo season in Oklahoma, many people are looking more into what it takes to become one of the cowboys and cowgirls they see in those arenas. If you need some inspiration, take a look at the moves this cowboy from small town Oklahoma has been making in the nation-wide rodeo scene.

Who Is Hunter Herrin?

Hunter Herrin, from Apache, Oklahoma, has been doing incredibly well in rodeo roping competitions, specifically tie-down calf roping. He's been a National Finals Rodeo (NFR) Qualifier for 13 years, winning more than $114,000 in regular season earnings.

If you watch Hunter's most successful runs, like his winning run from last year's NFR in the 8th round, you'd almost believe you could do it, too. The "rodeo veteran" makes calf roping look like a breeze, but trust me, it's much harder than he makes it look.

@calfropingdotcom We’re not saying Riley Pruitt was ready for Hunter Herrin to nod, but we’re not saying he wasn’t either By Pruitt’s nodding, we’re guessing he was ready for the 13x NFR cowboy to make a run in the 2024 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Finals. #calfroping #tiedownroping #hunterherrin #rodeo #sanantoniotexas ♬ Funny - Gold-Tiger

Calf Roping: A Brief Run Down

Tie-Down calf roping is pretty much the way it sounds: the cowboy has to be the fastest to rope the calf, get it to the ground and tie three of the calf's legs together. Of course, there are a few particulars to look out for.

1. The rider has to give the calf a proper start and cannot break the barrier before the calf has a chance to run out in front.

2. The three legs that are tied must remain tied for 6 seconds after the roper throws his hands, signaling for the clock to stop.

On average, these calves they're picking up weigh around 250 pounds - could you imagine picking up a 250 pound massive mound of muscle and making it look like it weighs absolutely nothing?

For a cowboy like Hunter, it's incredible to watch him get everything done and winning the round within 8 seconds, less than the time it takes for a bull rider to make a qualifying ride.

This Year's National Finals Rodeo

Every year, the National Finals Rodeo happens in Las Vegas and this year is no different. It's coming up at the end of the year, December 5 -14, 2024. If you want to experience it for yourself, check out the details here. Place your bets now - will Hunter Herrin be making a big splash in the NFR pool this year?

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Where Familiar Oklahoma Sayings Came From

We've all heard these super-common sayings growing up in Oklahoma. They're so common, they're not just Sooner State phrases, but this is where we heard them so often as youths. It's almost funny to learn some of the more seedy origins of phrases our ultra-conservative grandparents used to say. They'd likely turn over in their graves learning some of these meanings.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

Oklahoma's Top 10 Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

If you're looking for a place to go for a little fall family fun, then you're in luck! Oklahoma is home to some of the biggest and best pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the nation. People from all over travel to the Sooner State every fall to visit these incredible farms. Not only do they offer pumpkin patches along with corn and hay mazes, they also have all kinds of other activities like petting zoos, rides, arts and crafts, food, games, haunted attractions, and a whole lot more. So no matter what your idea of fall fun is, you can find it all in one place!

Gallery Credit: Jeri Anderson