Second chances are a cowboy's best friend.

They were to Trell Etbauer at the 60th annual Rodeo De Santa Fe on Friday at the Santa Fe Rodeo Grounds.

Etbauer's first saddle bronc ride was anything but entertaining. His horse, Drifter, seemed to be drifting off to sleep after the first few seconds of Etbauer's ride. The scoring judges took notice of that, and offered Etbauer a re-ride to erase his 50-point score.

Etbauer wasn't about to pass on it.

"If they are willing to give you a second chance, you're pretty happy to take it," Etbauer said. "I'll take it anytime they offer me a re-ride."

The reprieve proved to be worth the wait, as Etbauer scored a 74 on his second attempt, which was the fourth-best score of the day.

The second-year cowboy on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit had a better ride than his more publicized uncle, Billy Etbauer, had Thursday.

The five-time world saddle bronc champion failed to score, and put him out of the running for the purse at this event. That's OK. The elder Etbauer (who is 46 years old) has Trell beat at the rodeo in Pecos, Texas.

Billy Etbauer is first; Trell is fourth. But it means a lot for him to compete with his uncle.

"It's a lot of fun," said Trell Etbauer, who is 24. "Last year, we were pretty lucky and got up to Santa Fe on the same day. It's a lot of fun to be there with him, when you can."

Trell Etbauer is no stranger to the rodeo life, nor the spotlight that comes with fame. His father, Robert, was a two-time, world saddle bronc champion, and yet another uncle, Dan, reached the National Finals Rodeo in bronc riding 10 times. Trell's last name might be an attention-getter, but it doesn't guarantee success will come with it.

"You come in here dead even with everybody else," Trell says. "Everybody is even right at the start. People hear my name and they think about my uncles and my dad. I am pretty sure when they hear it, they come up to me a lot."

Trell witnessed his family success first-hand growing up, often riding with his dad as he went from event to event and catching his uncles for impromptu, but short, family reunions.

While he wanted to try his hand at the professional circuit, he also had dreams of going to college.

Etbauer chose to go to Oklahoma Panhandle State in his hometown of Goodwill, Okla., and competed with the rodeo team while earning a degree in industrial technology.

He was the College National Finals Rodeo steer-wrestling champion in 2005 and the Central Plains regional champion two years running.

After his graduation in May of 2008, he turned professional and began to prove himself immediately. He finished second in the rookie standings in bronc riding and was the all-around rookie of the year in the PRCA.

In his second season, Etbauer has won all-around titles at four rodeos, and the saddle bronc event at the Tulsa (Okla.) State Fair Rodeo. It's helped him sit in 17th place in the all-around standings with $15,154.

Despite his success, Trell still found himself looking at some of his fellow competitors in awe.

"When you finally get to go (compete) in rodeos and meet with a bunch of these guys, you'll be a little intimidated at first," Etbauer said. "Once you get a round them, shoot, they're all good guys and they want to help you out."

Being an Etbauer hasn't hurt, especially when you're living up to the legacy.