The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is the top money rodeo in the world. Most cowboys in the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) spend months and even years honing their skills. They practice long hours, endure skinned knuckles, sore bodies and countless hours on the road traveling from one rodeo to another just to get a shot on the world stage. Trevor Knowles knows this all too well. He’s been to the NFR three straight years and that’s no small feat for a small-town cowboy. The 26-year-old cowboy from Mt. Vernon has seen considerable success in his young career.

“I didn’t really plan to go into rodeo until later on in high school and then in college,” said Knowles.

Now that he has been successful at it, that’s where his heart is.

“I can’t see just doing something a little bit,” said Knowles. “I want to go for as long as I can as hard as I can.”

The experience of traveling all over to compete has not been lost on the young man from Mt. Vernon, but he hasn’t forgot his roots.

“I’ve been all over. I’ve been from one end of the country to the other,” said Knowles. “I like it here the best. This is the only place I could live. When I get done I’d like to get a place and some cattle. Kind of have my own operation.”

At the end of the 2006 rodeo season Knowles was ranked 13th in the world standings for steer wrestling, but according to him that doesn’t count for much.

“Everyone basically starts over at zero,” said Knowles. ” To get back to the finals you have to be one of the top 15 money winners at the PRCA events the next year. It’s especially difficult in steer wrestling because the top forty or so guys are so close together as far as talent and tim

ing. A win can be determined by tenths of a second.”

Knowles competes in three events, steer wrestling, calf roping, and he is team roping as a heeler. He explained the differences in the fields and why he competes mostly in steer wrestling.

“In tie-down roping you have four or five people at the top, and the rest of the field is a lot further behind,” said Knowles. “The field is a lot more balanced in steer wrestling. Anyone can win it.”

No matter what event you compete in, rodeo has its ups and downs and can tax even the toughest individuals.

“You have to be able to endure long stretches of losing,” said Knowles. “You can go for weeks and not win anything and you have to fight through it. Then you’ll have a stretch where it seems like you can’t do anything wrong. You win almost everything you enter. It can be really tough.”

Knowles has been fortunate not to suffer any major injuries

in a sport that is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.

“Nothing serious,” Knowles said when asked about injuries. Then he smiles, leans over, taps the wall and adds, “Knock on wood.”

Knowles competes in dozens of rodeos every year but has a clear-cut favorite.

“Pendleton,” said Knowles. “That’s my favorite. A lot of cowboys don’t like to compete on the grass. It’s a lot faster and I like that.”

Knowles went to college in Walla Walla, Wash. at what he calls “one of the best rodeo colleges in my opinion,” and gathered experience and tips from several professional cowboys that live in that area. This, and the constant practice that he puts in year-round he hopes will propel him to another appearance at the NFR and someday soon, maybe a world championship.

“Of course I’d like to win it all,” said Knowles.

For now, three consecutive trips to the NFR is a great start for a small-town cowboy.