Tanner Aus 2023 NFR Apparel

In August, Nevada bareback rider Trenten Montero passed away after succumbing to injuries sustained at the Owyhee County Rodeo in Homedale, Idaho. Just a month prior to his accident, Trenton and his wife, Maria, welcomed their first child, Noah, to the world.

Trenten was a friend to all including Tanner. Below is what Tanner posted on his social media accounts shortly after Trenton's accident:


With the fast pace and competitive nature of rodeo, it’s easy to get caught up in the race. I often take things for granted and need to take time to reflect.

I lost a friend this past week, and I want to share story about how I came to know Trenten Montero. In 2016, I had met Trenten and we had a few conversations. At that point we were colleagues or acquaintances, whatever you wanna call it.

Well, one Sunday night while me, Ty Breuer, and Casey Breuer we’re driving from the Scottsdale AZ champions challenge to our set in Houston Texas, our pickup truck broke down. First question, where the heck are we? Second question, who do we know from Las Cruces New Mexico? I think Trenten lives here, maybe he knows a mechanic. Not that it will do any good at 7 o’clock on a Sunday night……

But, of course, not only did Trenten know mechanic, but he was friends with him! The truck was in the shop within a few minutes and we got the chance to sit down with Trenten and his, at that time girlfriend, Maria, and ate at one of their favorite restaurants. They tried to buy us supper and offered us a place to stay for the night, but Trenten’s mechanic was too good, and had us back on the road in a couple hours.

I feel like I got to know Trenten pretty well in the six years after that night, but that night was a perfect example of how Trenten treated people.

He was kind and wore a smile. He was a friend to everyone. He had a sense of humor, one that would catch you off guard from time to time. He was faith, family, and country. He feared no bucking horse.