After five World Championships, 14 National Finals Rodeo qualifications, and over $2.5 million in career earnings, one well-known cowboy is back from retirement to compete for his chance at the richest one day rodeo in the world, The American.
Following a lengthy and prosperous career, the rodeo athlete announced his official retirement in 2022. But in January of 2025, we have seen him once agan back into the box at the American Rodeo Contender Tournament Regionals in Las Vegas, Nev., in the steer wrestling.
Who is this decorated mystery man? None other than Luke Branquinho, of course. Hailing from Los Alamos, Calif., the cowboy has become a familiar face as a rodeo commentator in the past few years, including the NFR. Branquinho has long been one of the greatest personalities of rodeo and that has shone on the mic. As much as we have enjoyed listening to him, it is even more fun to see the talented cowboy back in the arena competing…