I am honored to have been appointed by the National Board as the National President of the American Cowboys Team Roping Association. A brief history: I bought my first ACTRA Card in 1996. Since then, I have served on the California Chapter Board and the National Board. I was elected by the California Chapter Board to serve as the Chapter President. After serving as the California President for five years, I figured the National Presidency could not be much different. I was wrong! The Nationals Presidency has a different set of challenges and responsibilities. My philosophy on challenges and problems is that they are just opportunities. The challenges for 2023 included finding a new announcer and webcast company after 15 years; replacing a key sponsor after 17 years; and revamping two of our biggest ropings, the Cal Custom Super 7 and the Wrangler Patriot #5.5. The National Board is excited about the success they had meeting these challenges. Check out how they addressed these challenges in this year’s digital program. Looking into next year, I want the National Board to focus on how we can grow our Chapters and the challenges that will present. I hope to see you at our National Finals. Feel free to come up and introduce yourself and share your feelings about YOUR Association. Bill Horner ACTRA National President A few words from ACTRA National President Bill Horner Branden Edwards, 2023 National Finals Announcer BRANDEN EDWARDS wears several hats in the rodeo world. He is a graduate and former rodeo team member of Colorado Mesa University, where he is currently the head rodeo coach. An avid team roper, Branden has also served as board member and vice-president of the Colorado Professional Rodeo Association; a position he only stepped away from to give his full energy to coaching, competing, and his craft as a rodeo announcer which annually takes him coast to coast as a part of the rodeo culture of America. Having competed from the High School level to the PRCA, he understands what it means to practice and win as a participant, while his work over the last 10 years giving instruction at camps and one-on-one sessions allows him to convey those same lessons to his students and team members. Branden still holds his PRCA card as a contestant on top of his work as an announcer, where he has been the Colorado Pro Announcer of the year three out of the last four years. Branden currently stays involved with his community as an advocate for rodeo and the western heritage while holding positions with the Mesa County Sheriff Posse. He lives in Grand Junction with his wife and assistant coach Tia, who attended college on a rodeo scholarship and was the Rookie of the Year and finals qualifier in the CPRA. They have two sons, Grady Kent Edwards and Austin Gary Edwards.
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