Jake Dunham Advances to San Antonio Bull Riding Semifinal

NMJC rodeo cowboy Jake Dunham advanced to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Bull Riding Semifinal where he will compete Feb. 20-21 on the Cowboy Channel.

Dunham won Round 1 in San Antonio for his side of the bracket with a score of 86.

"I just bear down. You know I keep it pretty simple," Dunham said. "I just bear down and got to the whistle in the first round." 

However, Dunham did not reach the whistle in Round 2 on Friday.

Saturday was a different story. The Tucson, Ariz. native tied for first place in Round 3 of his bracket with a score of 87. Dunham finished second in bracket 1.  

"Jake was competing against 9 other guys in his bracket. San Antonio is one of biggest pro rodeos of the year so to get through to the semifinals and have a chance at some big money is a great start to his season and a nice confidence boost," men's rodeo head coach Stewy Kinley said. "He made two outstanding rides down there and he's fairly healthy, so hopefully he can keep capitalizing on these opportunities. He'll be ready to roll at our first college rodeo Feb. 27 in Odessa, Texas."

Dunham had some self-doubt when he learned he would be competing in San Antonio but that sentiment quickly faded.

"I guess when I got the call, I was wondering do I really deserve to be here? Like am I one of the big dogs," Dunham said. "Then after the first round, I kind of was like okay it might have been a fluke deal, but we'll see. And then after the third round I was like okay I belong."

Dunham's fall did not go according to plan, and he is hoping that this is the momentum he needs as the spring season gets under way.  

"I mean you put the work in and then the results show. But I just think I've had a lot of good people in my corner, and it's just worked out," Dunham said. "I think for the college rodeos, it'll be a little bit more simple for me, because the goal isn't to win. The goal is just stay on and make the whistle every time. So going into this spring the goal is going to be the same as if it was the biggest stage in the world or a college rodeo ride."

The T-Bird cowboy can advance to the final by finishing top 5 in the semifinals or by winning the wildcard round. The wildcard is for the 10 competitors that did not advance and is held the same day as the final on Feb. 22.

Dunham will compete in the semifinals at San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Feb. 20-21 on the Cowboy Channel.