Brent Sutton follows in his father’s footsteps

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Rodeo Rapid City is a family affair for the Sutton family whose rodeo roots span six generations.

In fact, the Sutton family has been involved in the sport of rodeo since the 1920’s not only in South Dakota, but on a national level, as well.

Two months ago, Brent Sutton had the opportunity to work his first ever National Finals Rodeo as one of the three pick-up men.

A pick-up man has several responsibilities including clearing the arena, maintaining the safety of the livestock and making sure the cowboys dismount safely from the bucking horses.

Brent was selected to work the NFR by the top 20 saddle bronc and bareback riders in the PRCA.

He now joins his dad, Steve, who was an NFR pick-up man five different times.

“That’s something I’ve wanted to do my entire life,” Brent Sutton said. “So it was pretty special to me. My dad did it. I’ve worked with him and grew up doing it with his leadership. It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to be like dad and that was kind of the icing on the cake to finally do it. We are the first and only father – son team, I shouldn’t say team because we did it at different times, but to work the NFR.”