story by Kyle Eustice
Twenty-two-year-old Garrett Yerigan grew up, as he puts it, in the “middle of the danger zone.” Born in Pryor, Oklahoma to Dale and Kathy Yerigan, who both competed heavily in rodeo, he was around the rodeo world by the time he was 14 days old.
“My dad was an 11-time World Champion Steer Wrestler in the IPRA and now serves as the General Manager,” explained Garrett. “My mom is a former IFR qualifier in the barrel racing and still competes in IPRA rodeos.”
Drawn to the integrity of the sport, Garrett quickly fell in love with what rodeo symbolizes to him — hard work, perseverance, mental and physical toughness, and the love for the western lifestyle. Contrary to his parents, Garrett steered away from the competition side of rodeo and headed for the behind-the-scenes action. He joined the ACRA in 2010 and has been an announcer in the association ever since.
“Growing up, I always had my eye on the announcer’s stand and set the goals to be there one day,” remembered Garrett. “At age 12, I announced my first professionally sanctioned rodeo.”
A 2013 graduate of Pryor High School, Garrett’s biggest accomplishment came the following year when he was 19 years old and became the youngest announcer to ever announce the International Finals Rodeo.
While he’s a proud member of the ACRA, PRCA and UPRA, his roots run deep in the IPRA. In fact, it’s where he got his start.
“My grandfather and father are both former IPRA board members and presidents,” said Garrett. “It was a great place for me to begin my career.”
Considering he’s an announcer, Garrett doesn’t have to spend countless hours practicing in the pen running barrels or roping calves, but he does spend ample amounts of time educating himself on the task at hand.
“I do spend a bit of time researching contestants and livestock,” said Garrett. “I also work on figuring out ways to better myself as an announcer.”
When he’s not at a rodeo event, which he admits isn’t very often, Garrett can be found on the water tubing, hitting the slopes when skiing in the winter, going to a movie or concert, or simply relaxing before the next rodeo.
His summer schedule is lined up and packed with a laundry list of commitments. From Tunica, Mississippi and Ponca City, Oklahoma to Cowtown, New Jersey and Lebanon, Tennessee, his rodeo career takes him all over the world, including Australia, where he will attend the PBR in July. Although it takes a lot of commitment, there’s a sense there’s no other path he’d want his life to take.
“There is no better way to live than the cowboy lifestyle,” said Garrett.
