Photo by Chris Drummond Granite Falls native and PRCA rodeo champ Tanner Aus competed in the Western Open Stampede rodeo Thursay night. Aus’ event is bareback riding, and he received a score of 86.8 on Thursday.

GRANITE FALLS — Granite Falls native and PRCA champion bareback rider Tanner Aus competed in the Western Open Stampede rodeo on Thursday evening. The hometown boy came home to compete in an event that he has been doing so in the past several years.

Aus talked about how special it is to do what he loves in front of people he loves and appreciates.

“I love it,” Aus said. “Granite Falls is home for me. My wife and I, the family now lives in New London, Minnesota, but to come back here where I have a lot of fond memories of these rodeo grounds. I have been involved with the committee since I was very young. To be here, brings back a lot of great memories and to be able to compete here is one of my favorite times of the year. This is my favorite rodeo, I tell everybody.”

Aus is well accomplished in his career winning multiple events and having seven National Finals Rodeo qualifications. His highlights of 2023 include winning the Rodeo Rapid City, the Minnesota Horse Exposition PRCA Rodeo, the Ozark Empire PRCA Pro Rodeo, the Daily Record Xtreme Bares and Broncs, the Extreme Events Championship Rodeo, the American Heroes PRCA Rodeo, and the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. He was also a co-champion in the Cherokee PRCA rodeo.

One of the many fond memories Aus had was remembering his late friend Johnny Walters. Walters use to chase Aus around the rodeo and always looked forward to seeing him. He would try to dress like Walters as a young kid. Aus spoke of another time he cherished with his late friend.

“A few years later when I was in high school I got to come here and he would let me get on a horse in in front of my hometown crowd,” Aus said. “That meant a lot to me. So those are just a couple of memories that come back to me every time I’m here and it was a lot of fun.”

The atmosphere at the rodeo was electric. Many people came to see the riders but to especially see Aus do his thing. He was selected to go fourth in the list of riders and he did not disappoint. From the start, the horse bucked and jumped up and down but couldn’t shake off Aus. He held on for a wild ride as the crowd cheered loudly. Aus left with the highest score of the night 86.8.

He is preparing to compete in another event in South Dakota. It was a solid turnout for the hometown boy and he spoke about his appreciation for the fans of the sport.

“I mean the rodeo wouldn’t be a sport without people to watch it,” Aus said. “People spend their hard-earned money to come buy tickets and be here. That means the world to me and all the contestants involved. It is so important to have an outstanding crowd like this. To be welcomed back in my hometown as I have been in the years I’ve rode in, it’s been amazing. I appreciate it, love Granite Falls and love Western Fest.”