Chase Dougherty, a professional bull rider from right here in Canby, heads into his first PRCA National Finals Rodeo competition in Las Vegas this week. As if that weren’t enough, he’s checking in ranked fifth overall in a field of 50.
Chase is a three-time Oregon High School Bull Riding Champion and the son of John Dougherty, also a professional bull rider. The 20-year-old cowboy joined the PRCA less than two years ago and has already qualified for his first finals and earned over $100,000 on the circuit.
In an incredible profile for the NFR competition by Tuff Hedeman, Chase gives his father credit for his success.
“More than anything, he taught me how to be a cowboy, never quit and have a never-die attitude,” Chase says. “Don’t let go until you hit the ground. If you’re in a bad spot, just get out of it.”
He is a 2016 graduate of Canby High School, where he competed in football, wrestling and the pole vault — which is basically rodeo if you broke it down into its base components. After high school, he was recruited to and joined the rodeo team at Montana State University.
Courtesy photo by Matt Cohen.
