“Whatever you choose to do, do with all your heart and all your passion and be the best you can be at it.”
When Junior Nogueira came to the United States at the age of 24 from his home country of Brazil he had learned to rope with his dad (Lucinei Nogueira) and was a team roper. He began roping with former World Champion and ProRodeo Hall of Famer, Jake Barnes. “I was scared – of not knowing English, or anybody. Everything was scary!” Thanks to Jake, who he lived with for two years, Junior learned much of what he needed to know. “I can never pay him back for what he and his wife (Tina) did for me. I made it because of him – he taught me how to work hard and be professional. It was God’s plan to put him in my life. I’m not perfect, but for sure without God, I wouldn’t be anything.”
“My dad taught me to rope, in the round pen, I was four years old,” said Junior. “He taught me how to ride, how to build my loop, and chase the calf until I caught it. I would do it for hours. I lost my dad when I was six. My mom, Eliziane, was the first female calf roper in Brazil! Her dad had a cattle ranch and was a cowboy. My grandpa bought her a horse, and she began to compete. My parents met through roping.”
After the untimely death of his father, Junior stepped up to be ‘the man of the house’. His mom was by his side and encouraged him. He spent hours watching videos of his American roping idols – Clay Cooper, Jake Barnes, Leo Camarillo, etc. Junior started roping professionally when he was 14. “I didn’t know what I was doing, just working hard and learning, but I was able to provide for my family and that was good.”
Jake Barnes, the seven times world champion header with 27 NFR qualifications, said, “I thought I was done rodeoing hard when Junior showed up. I’d sold my truck and trailer, and our youngest son was off to college, so Toni and I were empty nesters. Helping Junior felt like giving back for what guys like Leo did for me. It’s neat when you can make a difference in someone’s life. Junior made a difference in my life, too.”
Shortly after Junior arrived here, he and Jake were traveling to South Dakota to compete in Rapid City and spun out on black ice five minutes from the arena. “We lost Jake’s truck and trailer,” recalled Junior. “I thought I was going to die – my horse wasn’t hurt, but Jake’s horse was. A bull dogger drove by, picked us up, and put all our stuff inside his rig. The slack had already started, so I saddled my horse, Jake borrowed a horse, and we roped the steer and ended up placing 4.6. God’s amazing.” Jake and Junior made their first NFR in 2014, Junior’s rookie year, and Junior claimed the prestigious 2014 Rookie of the Year as well. Jake and Junior made a second NFR together in 2015, but Jake suffered a serious head injury when a horse fell practicing right before the Finals, so JoJo LeMond filled in and headed for Junior. “Good mind, that’s what I learned from Jake – stay in the middle, stay focused on what you are doing and get it done. Don’t let anything else take your focus.”
Junior married Jaqueline, a girl he fell in love with from his hometown, Presidente Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Once he had become successful, he brought her to the States and they are now able to travel together much of the time. “My wife is very supportive. It’s the whole team; family, horses, and help at the house to ride when I’m gone, that makes this work.” He has roped with Kaleb Driggers for six years.
Junior continues to work on his skills. “I try to be a master at what I do and figure everything out – now it’s paying off.” He has spent a lifetime working on his horsemanship, starting in Brazil with his father and continuing in the United States. Junior lived with him two different times early in his career. “Keeping your horse working, knowing him, and always helping him be better is important. You can overcome any kind of issue with good horsemanship.”
This will be Junior’s ninth trip to the NFR. “I get excited and my heart beats so fast and nervous. It’s a good feeling and I don’t think that will ever change.” He and Kaleb will practice for the NFR at Kaleb’s house after the AQHA World Show in Oklahoma City. “We set up Kaleb’s arena (40 minutes from Junior’s house near Brock, Texas) with the same measurements for NFR and pull the chutes the same way.” Junior likes the small arena. “I like it – love it. it’s the NFR.”
Junior also loves the United States. “For sure with no doubt it’s the greatest country in the world. I have my house, my family, and have this life – I’m very blessed.”
