Portales Ropers Compete in Vegas
by Kate Sanchez
It was an experience of a lifetime for Richard and Victoria Derrer of Portales, as they traveled to Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) to watch sons Bryce, 17, and Jacob, 15, compete in the Vegas Stars and Junior NFR competitions. Their first trip to Tinseltown for the event was one for the memory books, and with two talented sons, it’s doubtful that it’ll be their last!
Both Bryce and Jacob roped in the Las Vegas Stars at the Plaza, while Bryce also secured a spot in the Junior NFR in the Tie Down Roping. The result: bringing top finishes back to the Land of Enchantment. Bryce placed fifth in the average for the 19 and Under in the Vegas Stars, while Jacob was seventh in the average for the 15 and under. Meanwhile in the Junior NFR, Bryce placed third in the average for the main day, earning a spot in the shootout round, where he finished fourth.
Memories were made on the trip by the whole family. From shopping, to a week filled with rodeo, the Derrer family experienced it all. “It was really fun staying at the Renaissance and shopping at Cowboy Christmas just across the street,” Victoria shares, “We also had a wonderful friend give us 4 Gold Buckle seats for Thursday that week (at the WNFR) and had a great time.”
The Derrer family resides south of Portales, where Victoria lived during high school, although the boys were both born in different states. The family moved back to the area from Indiana in 2009. And although they travel together as a family, Bryce and Jacob both appreciate having the opportunity to rodeo, something their parents lacked when growing up. “As parents we are thrilled to be able to do this with our boys. Hopefully they will take their kids on the road and we can tag along as cheering grandparents,” Victoria says.
Rodeo has been a lifelong passion for both Bryce and Jacob, who at ages five and seven, began their rodeo careers in the Little Wranglers Junior Rodeo Association in Portales. Today, both young men compete in Team Roping and Tie Down Roping. As for their future, Victoria shares that Bryce has his heart set on a gold buckle at the WNFR in Tie Down Roping one day and is already apprenticing under his dad as a horse shoer. Meanwhile, Jacob will probably continue to compete in the Tie Down Roping, but she says his true love is the Team Roping and will one day be likely to own his own business as his brother and father have done.
Congratulations to the Derrer family on a job well-done representing Roosevelt County and the state of NM in Las Vegas. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Bryce and Jacob!
