cooper had almost $100,000 in earnings in 1981, and was approaching $400,000 in career earnings in 1982. he won his third consecutive prca tie-down roping championship, and fourth overall, in 1982, rallying from a prize money deficit of nearly $15,000 at the season-ending nfr. a second-place finish in that event's tie-down roping competition was enough for him to pass jerry jetton, the previous leader. cooper's total earnings for the year neared $100,000 again, and in the season-long all-around cowboy competition he placed fourth. in 1983, cooper won the all-around cowboy championship, national finals steer roping (nfsr) title, and calf roping championship. this made him the first prca competitor since 1958 to win three discipline season championships, and the fourth in prca history. cooper broke the record for yearly prize winnings with $153,390.84 in earnings, and claimed all-around and tie-down roping average earnings titles at the nfr. in calf roping, he set a season record in earnings with $122,455 for the year.