Junior Nogueira

Junior Nogueira is the PRCA’s 2016 All-Around World Champion and the 2021-2022 PRCA World Champion Team Roping Heeler.

From Presidente Prudente, Brazil, Junior Nogueira exploded onto the team roping scene in 2014 when seven-time World Champion Jake Barnes picked him up to hit the road after meeting him at a roping school. Nogueira didn’t speak English and had never traveled across the US, but he qualified for the NFR his rookie year with Barnes. He won the Resistol Rookie of the Year title, and he’s won the Spicer Gripp, The American, The Wildfire and four US Open to the World titles.

Nogueira has made more 3.3-second runs than any heeler in history, and his horses—from famed mare Apache R Hali to Green Card to Timon—have helped him along the way. Nogueira is also a world champion header in the AQHA on Apache R Hali.

Solo Select's Ty Smith on The Score
Hot Take
Ty Smith's Late 2023 Horse Market Report, Plus Predictions on Woody Be Tuff x Apache R Hali Embryo Sale
Junior Nogueira at his first Wildfire Open to the World in 2014.
changing history
Junior Nogueira's Big Break: The 2014 Wildfire Open to the World
Junior Nogueira riding Kiehnes Frosty Pepto, heeling at the 2023 Lonestar Shootout
fix it
Following the Steer, with Junior Nogueira
Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira roping their short-round steer at the 2023 Ellensburg Rodeo.
redemption
Driggers, Nogueira Seize Ellensburg Centennial
Kaleb Driggers Junior Nogueira
'Bout Time
Back on Top: Driggers & Nogueira Take World Standings Lead in Late August
Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira roping their steer in the short round at the 2023 Reno Rodeo.
Picking Up Where They Left Off: Driggers, Nogueira Win 2023 Reno Rodeo
Clay Smith and Junior Nogueira roping their steer at the 2023 Windy Ryon Memorial.
Smith, Nogueira Win 49th Annual Windy Ryon Memorial Roping
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SHORT ROUND SET: San Antonio Team Roping Results
Kaleb Driggers Fort Worth team roping
The Perfect Storm: The Driggers and Nogueira Fort Worth Controversy
Junior Nogueira at the WCRA in Fort Worth, Texas, team roping.
Driggers and Nogueira Pick up WCRA Performance Win en Route to Showdown Round