story by Lindsay Humphrey
When Traden Anderson was only 10 years old, his grandpa put him on a broncy colt for the first time. This would become a ritual between the pair as Traden rode the buck out of the young colts so they could go out on the ranch and work. Although the 17-year-old discovered early on that he could stick to a bronc better than most, he’s only just now taken up saddle bronc riding in the OHSRA. “For the last three years I’ve competed in the ranch bronc riding, and I won the year end in the Ward Rodeo Company Series. I figured I’d hang that up and try the saddle bronc,” said the Hanna, Oklahoma, native. “I just got my saddle bronc stuff and am really trying to perfect it. They say it takes 100 broncs to figure it out and I’m only on number six. They’ve been tearing me up, but I’ll make it happen.”
Sticking with his affinity for dismounting a horse quickly, Traden is primarily a bull dogger both inside high school rodeo and out. He took up the event just last year but is quickly showing his stripes. “I made it to the Oht Berry Junior National Finals Rodeo Steer Wrestling last year. It didn’t go very well for several reasons, but I qualified again this year.” In 2019, Traden headed to the Jr NFR in slot number 37, but in 2020 he’s sitting in the top 15. “I got a new set of horses and things have been coming together. My consistency is getting a lot better in it.”
Luckily, Traden has a built-in hazer in his dad, Josh. “My dad rodeoed his whole life, so I was just born into it. When I was a kid I remember waking up in the truck while we were hauling a trailer down the road to a rodeo.” Traden’s mom, Tory, helps keep the bookwork in order, now that everything is primarily online. “She helps me with the entry forms a lot since you can’t just walk up to the entry window anymore.”
None of Traden’s siblings – Hallee, 21, Allee, 14, Barrett, 14, Kutter, 8, and Blayze, 3 – have developed an interest in rodeo. “My siblings are more interested in sports at school than they are in rodeo. My little brothers though, they’re wild men right now and who knows what they’re going to be interested in.” From a young age, Traden’s wanted to make his living as a professional and simply do his very best in the sport. He has dreams of “competing with the big dogs” someday.
“If it wasn’t for good friends and family always trying to help teach me, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. I go practice with Riley Duval in the bull dogging capital of the world [Checotah] in the evenings.” Duval’s been to Vegas twice now and he’s sharing his bull dogging secrets with Traden. “They have a whole facility set up out there. I jumped my first steers there. I’ve learned I have to surround myself with winners if that’s what I want to be, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
It’s fairly common for Traden and his buddies to pull in to a rodeo in an old van with a three-horse trailer behind. “I’m friends with a bunch of bull riders that live pretty close, so we haul together a lot.” Just down the road is Tyler Cummings who Traden’s essentially grown up with through rodeo. “He’s been a real good buddy to me and we’ve been tight forever. My favorite part of rodeo is meeting new people. Basically, I consider everybody I meet to be a friend.” When Traden isn’t practicing or competing, he’s working at Burdine Farms Supply in Eufaula, Oklahoma. And he’s proud to be sponsored by the owners, John and Gale Burdine.
