Shofner wins CNFR

BEN SHOFNER carries on the family tradition of rodeo and the habit of horses. Shofner beat out the competition with a time of 21.7, beating the next fastest steer wrestler by two-tenths of a second to win the 2007 CNFR championship.

Ben Shofner is the 2007 College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) champion steer wrestler, and he's got the saddle and belt buckle to prove it.

According to his father, Charles Shofner Jr., Ben is just upholding the family tradition.

"All my boys (five of them) have the habit of horses and all of them rodeo," Charles Shofner said. "We bought him his first horse when he was four, Old Shotgun, and it's been a life-long passion ever since."

Ben Shofner is majoring in agriculture at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA.

"I want to ranch but I like fooling with young horses and training them," Ben Shofner said.

He was the reserve grand champion in the CNFR last year. This year's championship was won by two tenths of a second.

Steer wrestling is a matter of split second timing and coordination. A quarter-ton steer is released. Another rider called the hazer "gets the steer lined out" and running straight. The cowboy has to catch up to the steer, grab him by the horns and bring him to the ground, all four feet out, in a timed event. Ben Shofner's winning time is an average of 21.7 seconds.

At the CNFR finals in Casper, WY, the event started with 46 competitors. The top three from each region moved on. In the weeklong finals, Ben Shofner competed 12 times to earn that winning average.

"I run steers all through the week. I work out and practice a bunch," Ben Shofner said. "The biggest thing is to have someone who hazes good (and you get to chose your hazer) and the partnership you have with your horse."

Ben Shofner currently rides Flip, an 18-year-old that he has had a little over a year.

"He scores good and he's a good honest horse," Ben Shofner said.

Ben Shofner also competed in the Jasper Lions Rodeo this year. He does the rodeo circuit with pros and amateurs.

"Sometimes, like Friday at the Jasper rodeo, I get in the purse, and sometimes not," Ben Shofner said. "My brother Clint also placed in the Jasper rodeo. sometimes it's luck of the draw, if you get a good animal or not."

courtesy photos

Charles Shofner said the CNFR highlights will be televised on the College Sports Network in August. Janet Duhon of Jasper is Ben Shofner's mother.