Monthly Archives: December 2017

Brazos Heck wins all-around championship at Jr.NFR in Las Vegas KINGFISHER, Okla. – Brazos Heck is quite driven and focused. He knows exactly what he wants in his future to be. He’s a cowboy in every sense of the word, and in rodeo, he competes on the backs of bucking bovines and bucking broncs. “I want to ranch here in Oklahoma,” he said. “I think I can ride all three (roughstock) events, and it would just be a dream come true to win 10 all-around world titles.” Driven. Focused. Oh, and he’s only 9 years old. “I do this because I love to do it, and I think it’s my passion,” said Brazos, the son of Odie Heck and Shasta Yost. He’s also pretty good at it. In early December, he competed at the Jr.NFR in Las Vegas. He finished several days of competition as the No. 2 man in mini bareback riding, where he won two rounds. He also finished third in the middle saddle bronc riding. Because of his success, he earned the pee wee division all-around championship. No matter the age group, it is the most cherished prize in the sport. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” he said. “I’m hoping to win more.” He stands a good chance, thanks in large part to his work ethic, his study of the game and having a couple of the best-known cowboys as friends and mentors. His father is a cowboy in Tupelo, Okla., and is close friends with Jet and Cord McCoy, two all-around champs who made their names on CBS-TV’s “The Amazing Race.” The McCoys have been rodeo champs since they were youngsters, too. “In a lot of ways, he does remind me of me,” Jet McCoy said. “He’s pretty special. I’ve been pretty impressed with him.” Brazos’ list of accomplishments is long. He’s been riding since age 5, and he’s progressed fairly rapidly, too “He started out wanting to get on sheep,” Odie Heck said. “He’d been at a rodeo, and they had mutton busting. He was always around Cord and Jet, so he wanted to ride. Then we were at a rodeo, and kids were riding little ponies in bareback riding. He wanted to get a rigging and enter the bareback riding.” Heck has been around rodeo all his life, but he was a timed-event cowboy. Roping and steer wrestling were good fits for the athletically built, 6-foot cowboy. “Brazos’ athletic ability is a little different than mine,” he said. “He’s a bucking horse guy.” In fact, Brazos craves it. When he’s not riding, he’s thinking about it, and he watches a ton of videos to help with those thoughts, from the bronc riding Wright family – brothers Cody, Jesse and Spencer have won world titles, as has Cody’s second-oldest son, the 2017 champ, Ryder – to the McCoys, to bareback riding world champions Kaycee Feild and Bobby Mote and world champion bull riders Cody Custer, J.B. Mauney and Cody Custer. “They just make me feel like I ride really good,” said Brazos, who is sponsored by the American Hat Co. and Oklahoma Ag Transports. “I watch them over and over again, and I want to ride like them.” Those are the types of champions he looks up to and wants to emulate. Even at his young age, he understands the need for constructive criticism if he is to improve. That’s why he looks to the McCoys for assistance. Both were five-time International Professional Rodeo Association world champions who competed in all three roughstock events. “I almost make him ask me for help before I offer any,” said Cord McCoy, a 2005 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier in bull riding and a six-time competitor at the PBR World Finals. “If he wants to come to the house and train in our arena, I step back and let it be his idea. I let him show the desire. “I think all of us have our own natural style. He’s pretty natural. I know he’s been watching every rodeo in the area and on TV. That’s all he craves.” He knew Brazos was pretty good but admitted that there may have been some bias because of his relationship to the youngster. “Then they had the Jr.NFR, which was all the kids who qualify from across the country, and he’s the all-around champion,” Cord McCoy said. “He’s got raw talent. If he keeps the desire he has today, he’s going to be a contender when he gets older. “It was pretty inspirational to go to the Jr.NFR and see Billy (Etbauer), Ty (Murray) and Larry Mahan there. The superstars of rodeo got to watch the next generation compete.” Jet McCoy likened the Jr.NFR as the Little League World Series, and that young cowboys and cowgirls who compete at the pinnacle of their sport are taking the steps necessary to excel as teens and adults. “If you want to compete at the highest level, you’ve got to start early,” he said. “To have the opportunity to go to Vegas and spend three or four days to see what it’s like, it gives them something to visualize and something to shoot for.” For now, though, those closest to him support and believe in what Brazos Heck is doing because they see his passion for the sport. “You’ve got to have the want-to, and I don’t think anybody’s forced it on him,” Cord McCoy said. “When you nod your head, you’ve got to have the eye of the tiger. “He’s got that winning attitude to go along with the talent.”

FAIRVIEW, Mo. – There’s a gleam that shines across Dale McCracken’s face. It’s not about his first major ProRodeo award, the 2017 Comedy Act of the Year, but it could be. It’s not about his being in the hunt to be the barrelman for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, but it could be. No, McCracken’s twinkle arrives as he talks about the loves of his life, his wife, Janice, and their brood, and his faith in God. Nothing “Gizmo” McCracken has ever done in the rodeo arena will bring a bigger smile to his face than discussing Cassie and Mandy, their husbands and their children. They’ve enriched his life in so many ways, and they’ve been a big part of the family business. “They’ve always been a part of what we do,” he said of his daughters. “Now they’ve got two kids apiece.” Those kids – Cassie and Jeremy Crouch have Brimley and Raeley, while Mandy and Jimmy Evans have Bronc and Jaylen – are now the next phase of what the McCracken family hopes to do with his rodeo comedy. He travels the country – and even the world – as a rodeo funnyman and entertainer, and this year, he was recognized as the best in the business. “I’m honored to be in that crowd,” he said of the other four entertainers that were nominated with him: Bert Davis, David Whitmoyer, Johnny Dudley and Mark Swingler. “There are some great acts out there.” He knows. McCracken first began his funny business 41 years ago as a 15-year-old high-schooler, building acts while studying agriculture. He’s been part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1992. This is just the first time in his distinguished career he has received a PRCA award. “You always hope you’re going to win,” McCracken said. “Everybody wants to win something like that. The first couple of years I was nominated, I was hopeful. I was a little jittery. Then we had a dry spell for a few years that we weren’t even nominated. “Last year (in 2016) I was nominated for Clown of the Year and comedy act. I had gotten a little numb to not winning. I felt like I was past my shot at winning it.” He wasn’t, and the moment he was called to the stage to be presented with his award, he had Janice, Mandy and Cassie by his side. “We used them in our act when we first started,” he said of his girls. “As soon as they could walk in the arena, they would doddle in there with a guitar or something, and we’d do some little music act.” He even got to unveil a long-time trophy he’d been keeping as another gag or gizmo that helps make his comedy what it is. “That little roll of adding-machine tape had become a joke in our family,” McCracken said. “The first couple of years we were nominated, I thought I’d take that up there if I won, because I’m a comedy act and I’m supposed to do something funny. I figured I’d take it up on stage and reel it out to thank all these people. “Then I’d take it back home and set it up on the desk like a trophy.” Now he’ll be able to wrap it around his Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle as a reminder of what resilience and faith can do. It wasn’t but a few years ago that McCracken watched so much around him crumble. Gizmo’s Event Center, a complex he had dreamed about creating, was unable to sustain. “That’s amazing how God works,” he said. “I’ve worked all my life to make things happen, and I went in way over my head. We lost a lot of things and had to start over. When you’re down to nothing, and the only thing you’ve got is God, it comes down to you and God. “I said, ‘OK, you’ve got my attention.’ And that’s when it started over.” He was first nominated for Comedy Act of the Year in 2002, then returned in 2005. He wasn’t part of the landscape until 2014 and hasn’t left the scene since. God definitely got his attention. “We put everything we’ve got into this,” McCracken said. “For a handful of folks to acknowledge that, it’s just amazing. It was awesome to have the kids and Janice there with me.” But there’s no place else for Janice McCracken to be. They’ve been married for 38 years, and they’ve made every step in this rodeo career together. “In this business, it’s tough, but we always go together,” he said. “She is my rock. Between her, the kids and God, we can do anything.” That’s exactly what faith and love can do, and that’s reason enough for McCracken’s gleam.

WEATHERFORD, Texas – Being the son of a rodeo personality, most things about the sport came naturally for Anthony Lucia. But he wasn’t afraid to work at it, either. That’s why, as a trick roper, he was asked to perform at the National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand championship. He did it four straight years, from 2010-13, all while developing his skills as one of the young announcers in the game. “Announcing gives me the opportunity to be the voice of the contestants and to captivate an audience,” said Lucia, who will announce the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals, set for Jan. 10-13 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa. “Entertaining is in my blood, and I want to make sure the fans have the very best time. “Being a contestant myself, knowing what they go through, gives me an insight into what they feel whenever they win or when they don’t.” He is the son of Tommy Lucia, a decorated rodeo entertainer who was a contestant, rodeo clown and specialty act. For three straight years (2003-2005), the elder Lucia was the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Specialty Act of the Year; he worked the NFR as both barrelman and specialty act, and in 2015, just a few months before his death, was inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Anthony Lucia is continuing that rodeo legacy in more ways than one. By working the regional finale in the Northeast, it serves as proof that his labor of love is working pretty well. “Seven years into my announcing career, to get to announce one of 12 circuit finals was an emotional moment for me,” he said. “My dad always encouraged me to announce, and I never got a chance to tell him that I got the finals. “Even though I didn’t get to tell him, I know that he knows. He never doubted my announcing ability.” Lucia announces several rodeos throughout the year, including two of the most prestigious events in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association: the Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco and the Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City. No matter the size, though, he takes the same approach to his tasks. He will put in countless hours of homework and study as he prepares for the First Frontier finale. In fact, he may work harder to call the action for the First Frontier finale than many of the others. “For the contestants that compete in the Northeast United States, the First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo is the NFR to them,” said Lucia, who credits some of his success to the sponsors that support him: CINCH, Justin Boots, Classic Ropes, Kerry Kelley Bits and Spurs, Resistol, Smarty Roping and Brazos Valley Equine Hospital. “I want to work hard and do my job so the contestants are given the due they deserve.” “What matters more is those contestants qualified, and they all have the opportunity to make their way to Kissimmee (Fla.) to compete at the National Circuit Finals Rodeo.” Only the top 12 contestants on the money list in each event advance to the regional finale. The year-end and circuit finals average winners advance to Florida to compete for the national championship. Each step along the way is a better opportunity to cash in. Each dollar earned at either Harrisburg or Kissimmee counts toward the 2018 world standings, and the cowboys and cowgirls will have the opportunity to chase their qualifications to the NFR. Lucia has seen it at all levels, and he enjoys being more than a fan. He began his rodeo regime following his father to events. “My dad told me, ‘Be the best Anthony Lucia you can be,’ ” he said. “When I started to realize that, the announcing became fun. “I love rodeo as a whole, and rodeo makes my heart happy. I think a lot of it has to do with the people in it. It represents true Americana. Rodeo represents the way our nation was founded, through true grit, determination and try, never giving up no matter how the odds seem.” Lucia utilizes social me to stay in touch with rodeo, its contestants and its fans. He is active through is Instagram account – @SuperLucia33 – and has big goals. Of course, nobody that knows him would expect anything different. “My ultimate goal is to do God’s will,” Lucia said. “If I can’t leave a lasting mark and build His kingdom through my actions and through my words, inspiring people, then everything I do is for not. I feel like God has given me the tasks of no matter what I’m doing, I’m going to be the best.” He’s well on his way.

LAS VEGAS – Hardy Braden has always had faith in his ability. Trained by his father, he knew what to do and when to do it before he ever got on a bucking horse. Over the last 10 nights in the Nevada desert, he gained even more knowledge and more confidence in his ability. On Saturday night during the final round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Braden matched moves with Andrews Rodeo’s Fire Lane for 82 points to finish in a tie for sixth place. It was the eighth time he’d earned a paycheck at this year’s championship. “Eight rounds … I placed in eight out of 10,” he repeated, somewhat amazed at what he had done. “I was second in the average. That’s pretty good for me.” It was a pretty good week overall. Braden earned two go-round wins – scoring the highest points in the first and seventh rounds – and caught big checks along the way. His biggest came at the end. He rode nine of 10 horses for a cumulative score of 764 points to finish as the average runner-up to Wyoming cowboy Brody Cress. That was worth $54,577 to the Welch, Okla., cowboy. In all, he earned $160,192 in Las Vegas and pushed his season earnings to $262,966. He finished fourth in the world standings. “I think the thing is that you want to be riding to the best of your ability, and the rest of that stuff will take care of itself,” Braden said. He did. He averaged just shy of 85 points per ride, which is saying something. The NFR features the top horses in the game. Some are harder to ride than others, but they’re all fantastic athletes. The one night that he came down was during the third round, which featured the “eliminator” pen, the hardest-to-ride bucking beasts in the game. He was one of eight of the top 15 saddle bronc riders in the game who failed to score a point that night. Five nights later when the eliminators returned, Braden found redemption with an 88-point ride on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Garden City Gal to win the round. “If you have a good support system behind you like I do with my family – my dad, my mom, my sister and my brother-in-law – they’re going to stand behind mw whether it goes good or bad,” Braden said. That takes a lot of pressure off you in whatever you do. They’re going to love you no matter what.” Hardy Braden just spent 10 nights doing what he loves, and his family was with him with every spur lick he made. That makes every step of his first NFR that much more special.

LAS VEGAS – Something must be said for perseverance, especially at the Super Bowl of rodeo. If J.D. Struxness didn’t have it before, he found it over the last 10 nights of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He rode three horses, wrestled 10 steers and handled all sorts of adversity over his time in Sin City, but he found a way to the pay window quite nicely. Struxness, 23, of Appleton, Minn., closed out his NFR with a 4.2-second run Saturday night to finish third in the 10th round, pocketing another $15,654. He also finished fourth in the average race (worth $31,731) and left Las Vegas with $109,479. He wasn’t that far off his 2016 NFR earnings, where he won at least a share of four go-rounds. “It was a pretty good week,” said Struxness, who finished the season with $185,921, good enough for seventh in the world standings. “We had minor mistakes happen and a couple weird things happen. Overall, with what went on, it was a good week, and we are coming out of here with good money.” His good horse, Peso, became ill earlier this past week, so that put the talented sorrel gelding on the sidelines. He rode Todd Suhn’s horse, Max, for a few rounds, but was having trouble getting the start he needed to be fast enough to place. Struxness then mounted Rusty, a sold horse that guided Nevadan Dakota Eldridge to his second NFR average championship in three years. “The key was getting that start tonight and having a steer and placing on him again and place in the average,” he said. “That is what we wanted to do, just up our money in the standings. That’s what we came here to do tonight, and that’s what we were able to accomplish. “I knew that horse works good here, and I knew we could get a start. Dakota let me on him, thankfully, and I got a start the last two rounds.” In his inaugural two qualifications to the NFR, Struxness has earned $238,152. That’s a quarter of a million dollars in just 20 nights of work. The Nevada desert might be the right climate for him.

LAS VEGAS – There is no buckle to go with it, but the title is still prestigious. Richmond Champion is the reserve world champion bareback rider, and he earned it on the backs of the best bucking horses in ProRodeo. He placed in seven Wrangler National Finals Rodeo go-rounds – including two round wins – and placed second in the average, riding 10 horses for 847.5 cumulative points. “In ’14, I was second in the average and third in the world, so this is one up on that, and we are one step closer,” said Champion of The Woodlands, Texas. “Tim (O’Connell, the world champion) rode outstanding. Last year he ran away with things, and this year we put the heat on him. “That’s what we came here to do, and I take my hat off to him because of what he did.” Champion earned his seventh go-round check during Saturday’s 10th go-round, riding Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Wilson Sanchez for 86.5 points. That was good enough to tie for fourth in the round, worth $8,885. In all, he earned $167,314 in Sin City, $54,577 of which came in his average payout. He finished the 2017 campaign with $268,511. “To place in seven out of 10, that’s what I came here to do, to be consistent and take advantage,” he said. “I’m just blessed and super thankful, because I can’t believe it’s over. The time just flew by.” The NFR is no place for the timid. Bareback riders know they must handle all the challenges that come their way, with the biggest being the most athletic bucking horses in the game. Throw in the atmosphere and the big money that is available for 10 straight nights, and there’s a lot that can happen between the ears. It is conquering those challenges that helps define the winners. “Pressure isn’t given to you,” Champion said. “You earn pressure, and that’s something we all crave. This place creates pressure, and to see Tim go out there and put 10 rides together is amazing. For me to be that close on his tail is pretty awesome, and I look forward to next year.” This season marked the third time he has earned the right to compete in ProRodeo’s grand championship. That’s pretty good for a man who just turned 25 on Saturday. He got to celebrate with 14 friends as they chased this dream in the sport they all love. “We are all thankful to be here,” he said. “The comradery in that room, the way everyone showed up this week, is really awesome. It really doesn’t get any better than this.”

LAS VEGAS – Before arriving in town a couple of weeks ago, Ty Breuer had been a workout machine. It was more than his ranching work, which is hard work in itself. The bareback rider had been training harder than ever to get ready for the 10 days of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Though he placed in just two rounds, he could easily tell Saturday night that the work had paid off. “My body feels great, and I can’t wait to go back and keep training,” said Breuer, who placed for the second time during Saturday’s 10th round after an 86.5-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Jacket. “I’m ready for more horses. Compared to every other finals I’ve had, this is the best I’ve felt.” Now he’s ready to return for a fourth time in his career. Though he placed twice as many times at last year’s NFR, this was the best finish he’s ever had. He earned $56,538. He finished seventh in the average race by earning 814.5 cumulative points on 10 rides. And he accomplished things. He earned his first go-round victory last Sunday with his highest NFR score, a 90.5-point ride. He also got to ride the two-time Bareback Horse of the Year to close out his campaign. “It was a dream come true to get on that horse,” he said of Dirty Jacket. “I’ve actually seen that horse a lot, but my rigging has never been on it.” The horse has a big leap out of the chute, and if a cowboy can get a good start, the ride will likely pay off after that. “I was nervous about the mark-out,” Breuer said, referring to having his spurs over the animal’s shoulders on the first jump. “That horse feels good. He is a rodeo athlete.” So is Breuer. It takes a lot to make it to ProRodeo’s championship, and he has done it three times. He has proven why he is one of the greatest men in bareback riding at this time. And this year, he got to experience the NFR in Las Vegas with his wife and their 1-month-old daughter, Kayd. “It was pretty cool every night going back and seeing her and take a nap with her every day before I would come over here,” he said. “It was a different experience than all my other Vegas experiences, but it was definitely fun. “I’m not hanging my head at all. I’m pretty proud of this year just to make it here. It was pretty tough to get here, and I feel like I rode good this week. I’m just happy.” It shows.

LAS VEGAS – Mason Clements sat down and took a deep breath, reflecting on his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. In front of him was a golden sheet of paper that revealed his work in Sin City. He had ridden nine bucking horses, was knocked to the ground in Round 3, and placed four times – he won the fifth round and shared the win in Round 10. In all, he pocketed $80,372 in Las Vegas, his birth home 25 years ago. “To be here 10 nights and win as much money as I’ve made all year trying to get to this point, that is a special feeling,” said Clements, who jumped five spots to finish the season 10th in the world standings with $166,486. “It has been well. I’ve had a lot of successes; I’ve had a lot of downs. It’s always a learning situation; you never lose.” He learned a great deal in one of the greatest bareback riding competitions the NFR has ever seen. There were multiple 90-point rides and scores high in the 80s. On Saturday night, Clements rode Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Flight for 88 points to share the round win with eight-time NFR qualifier Steven Dent. Both men added $23,481 for that. “To share the 10th round with Steven Dent is an honorable thing,” said Clements of Santaquin, Utah. “To share the win with a veteran NFR qualifier, a prestigious bareback rider, is a good feeling. It definitely gives you a little swag, a new step. “You know you have it, and you’ve gotten to that point for sure. But then you leave here, and you’ve done this for your first time. You now know the sky’s the limit.” Through an injury-riddled 2016 season, he finished 18th in the world standings. Only the top 15 in the world standings at the end of the regular season qualify to compete in Las Vegas. He upped the ante this year and was able to push his chips into the table, walking away a winner. Most importantly, he learned through every ride, through every spur stroke, what it means to compete on ProRodeo’s grandest stage. While his earnings are amazing for 10 days, he watched two other competitors – world champion Tim O’Connell and three-time qualifier Richmond Champion – earn more $165,000 in that same time frame. “I’m a contender and a competitor at the highest level,” Clements said. “I’ve opened up a whole new arsenal of things I can do now, a whole new bag of tricks that I’ve learned here. I’m taking my riding, the way I read horses and the feeling of horses to a whole new level.” That will make him fun to watch for years to come.

LAS VEGAS – What looked like a slow National Finals Rodeo for Kyle Irwin turned out to be his best finale ever. In fact, he earned nearly as much in 10 nights in Sin City as he did in his two previous NFRs combined. He placed in just four go-rounds, including the victory in Round 3; but consistency paid off big. He added $43,154 by placing third in the average with a cumulative time of 46.6 seconds on 10 runs. In all, he pocketed more than $115,000 and left Las Vegas with $194,819 to conclude the season No. 5 in the world standings. That’s up six spots from where he started. “I think there were a couple of opportunities I didn’t capitalize on, and there were a couple of times I caught some steers that might not have been catchable for most,” said Irwin, who had a 4.8-second run Saturday night to finish sixth in the 10th round. “This is what we train for; this is what we practice for. That is the most I’ve ever won here or a single year, so I’m grateful for that. “I’m grateful for the opportunities I had. God is good.” He did it all on the back of Scooter, the 2017 Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year he co-owns with the world champion, Tyler Pearson. The two are traveling partners and good friends, and Scooter also carried Ty Erickson and Tyler Waguespack to big paydays. In fact, the four bulldoggers earned more than $458,000 on his back. For that, Irwin earned $13,590 in mount money, a percentage of the earnings made by Erickson and Waguespack. “It was funny when I put him up tonight,” Irwin said of Scooter. “All week it has taken him a little bit to drink water and act like he feels good. Tonight he rolled right away. He drank water and went straight to eating. He knew his job was done, and he knew he had done well. “That was the biggest limb I’ve ever stepped out on to be a partner on that horse with Tyler. That horse has been the greatest investment I have ever made. The biggest blessing, as far as making money, is doing what I love.”

Reigning world champ wins $75,000 at Las Vegas Championship LAS VEGAS – The belt still fits Weston Rutkowski. The Haskell, Texas, man proved why he is the greatest competitor in Bullfighters Only history by knocking down the competition Saturday during the final performance of the 2017 season at the BFO Las Vegas Championship at the Tropicana Casino and Resort. “I woke up (Friday) morning as ready to go as I have ever been,” Rutkowski said. “It’s been a long 10 days, and I’ve had some bumps and bruises at 16 staples. Fortunately, I was able to take care of what I needed to come away with this championship.” Rutkowski advanced to the three-man championship round after an 85.5-point fight in his section. Before the final three fights began, the Texan had already earned his second straight world title after Toby Inman failed to advance. But there was still business to tend to. “It was a relief, of sorts, because I knew I came to Vegas and won some money,” said Rutkowski, who pocketed the BFO’s first $50,000 bonus paid to the world champion. “But I came here to win the event and solidify my status as a world champ.” He was joined in the championship round by Kris Furr of Hamptonville, N.C., and Zach Call of Mullen, Neb. Call was unable to finish his fight with Rockin’ B and Magnifica’s Unicorn, and Furr matched moves with Manuel Costa’s Hulkamaniac for 87 points to put the pressure on Rutkowski. But the champ proved worthy. Matched with WAR Fighting Bulls’ Soldier of War, the two gladiators maneuvered around the ring. Rutkowski took every shot the agile bull threw, sliding past the charging animal and showcasing his own athleticism in the process. The result was 90.5 points and another $25,000 for winning BFO-Vegas. “The money is obviously a big amount, but at the end of the day, I’m here to fight bulls,” he said. “In order to win money like that, I had to stand in there and fight one for the full 60 (seconds) and do everything I could to take home this championship.” It hasn’t been all glitz and glam for Rutkowski. After winning the first two Roughy Cup titles in 2015-16, he failed to advance to the championship round on Wednesday, Dec. 6. He also reinjured his hamstring and took a shot to the back of the head that left a 6-inch gash, which required 16 staples. “It is all or nothing in this sport,” Rutkowski said. “If you’re not willing to put it all in the arena, then you don’t deserve to be here.” It takes great preparation to be one of the best in the game, and that’s what the BFO has. Furr put on a solid fight for a big score. Rutkowski’s was just that much better. “Kris Furr is a great athlete and a great bullfighter,” he said. “That’s what I love about the BFO; you’re going to go against the best guys in the world every time you nod your head.” The BFO is also a showcase for the best bulls in the game. In a sport filled with danger, the animals are the primary ingredient with personalities more like heat-seeking missiles. They are aggressive and agile, and they put the fight in bullfighting, especially this week. “I didn’t know Soldier of War at all, but that plays right into my game plan,” Rutkowski said. “I don’t like to know the bull. I like to just read and react and fight my fight.” He’s done that well. Now he’s become the first man in the sport’s history to win more than $100,000 in a single season. “There are a lot of guys that have fought bulls for a while and did it without making much money,” he said. “The sport of freestyle bullfighting seems like it has grown overnight, but it hasn’t. It has finally come full circle, and it’s finally paying off to fight Spanish fighting bulls for a living thanks to the BFO.” Results Round 1: 1. Kris Furr, 84.5; 2. Toby Inman, 82; 3. Tanner Zarnetski, 80. Round 2: 1. Weston Rutkowski, 85.5; 2. Noah Krepps, 82.5; 3. Cody Emerson, 76. Round 3: 1. Zach Call, 84; 2. Justin Josey, 83.5; 3. Jimmy Essary, 80. Championship round: 1. Weston Rutkowski, 90.5 points on WAR Fighting Bulls’ Man of War; 2. Kris Furr, 87; 3. Zach Call, 0. World champion: Weston Rutkowski

Bareback riding: (tie) Steven Dent on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Scarlett’s Web and Mason Clements on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Utah Top Flight, 88 points, $23,481 each; 3. Bill Tutor, 87.5, $15,654; 4. (tie) Richmond Champion and Ty Breuer, 86.5, $8,885 each; 6. J.R. Vezain, 86, $4,231; 7. Tim O’Connell, 85.5; 8. Caleb Bennett, 84; 9. Tanner Aus, 82.5; 10. Clayton Biglow, 82; 11. Orin Larsen, 81.5; 12. Wyatt Denny, 81; 13. R.C. Landingham, 79.5; 14. Jake Vold, NS. Jake Vold (out for the last two rounds after dislocated knee). Average standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, 853.5 points on 10 head; 2. Richmond Champion, 847.5; 3. J.R. Vezain, 842; 4. Caleb Bennett, 835.5; 5. Tanner Aus, 829.5; 6. Steven Dent, 825; 7. Ty Breuer, 814.5; 8. Bill Tutor, 802.5. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $371,416; 2. Richmond Champion, $268,511; 3. Tanner Aus, $235,715; 4. J.R. Vezain, $220,831; 5. Clayton Biglow, $200,557; 6. Caleb Bennett, $195,088; 7. Jake Vold, $185,706; 8. Orin Larsen, $171,009; 9. Steven Dent, $170,709; 10. Mason Clements, $166,486; 11. Bill Tutor, $166,398; 12. Jake Brown, $161,866; 13. Ty Breuer, $145,645; 14. Wyatt Denny, $140,084; 15. R.C. Landingham, $106,031. Steer wrestling: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 3.2 seconds, $26,231; 2. Scott Guenthner, 3.6, $20,731; 3. J.D. Struxness, 4.2, $15,654; 4. Ty Erickson, 4.5, $11,000; 5. Jon Ragatz, 4.7, $6,769; 6. Kyle Irwin, 4.8, $4,231; 7. Olin Hannum, 4.9; 8. Chason Floyd, 5.1; 9. (tie) Tyler Pearson and Dakota Eldridge, 5.2 each; 11. Ryle Smith, Baylor Roche, Tanner Milan, Nick Guy and Rowdy Parrott, NT. Average standings: 1. Dakota Eldridge, 45.4 seconds on 10 head; 2. Tyler Pearson, 45.9; 3. Kyle Irwin, 46.6; 4. J.D. Struxness, 56.5; 5. Scott Guenthner, 58.3; 6. Ty Erickson, 66.0; 7. Rowdy Parrott, 41.4 on nine; 8. Olin Hannum, 43.5. World standings: 1. Tyler Pearson, $265,457; 2. Ty Erickson, $263,267; 3. Dakota Eldridge, $245,333; 4. Tyler Waguespack, $231,277; 5. Kyle Irwin, $194,819; 6. Scott Guenthner, $186,839; 7. J.D. Struxness, $185,921; 8. Tanner Milan, $156,266; 9. Olin Hannum, $145,631; 10. Baylor Roche, $144,455; 11. Chason Floyd, $143,018; 12. Rowdy Parrott, $142,704; 13. Jon Ragatz, $137,178; 14. Nick Guy, $110,878; 15. Ryle Smith, $103,463. Team roping: 1. Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 4.1 seconds, $26,231; 2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.7, $20,731; 3. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 4.8, $15,654; 4. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 5.4, $11,000; 5. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 8.3, $6,769; 6. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 9.6, $4,231; 7. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 9.8; 8. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 10.0; 9. Luke Brown/Jake Long, Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, Tom Richards/Jeremy Buhler and Jr. Dees/Tyler McKnight, NT. Average standings: 1. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 61.2 seconds on 10 head; 2. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 53.9 on nine; 3. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 56.7; 4. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 61.6; 5. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 43.0 on eight; 6. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 45.3; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 58.9; 8. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 36.2 on seven. World standings: (headers) 1. Erich Rogers, $265,417; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $254,471; 3. Riley Minor, $220,183; 4. Luke Brown, $216,804; 5. Clay Smith, $197,556; 6. Chad Masters, $195,778; 7. Coleman Proctor, $184,398; 8. Dustin Egusquiza, $182,206; 9. Charly Crawford, $156,552; 10. Clay Tryan, $153,999; 11. Jr. Dees, $149,887; 12. Garrett Rogers, $133,069; 13. Dustin Bird, $114,519; 14. Cody Snow, $112,716; 15. Tom Richards, $111,511. (heelers) 1.Cory Petska, $265,417; 2. Junior Nogueira, $255,201; 3. Brady Minor, $220,183; 4. Jake Long, $208,275; 5. Travis Graves, $202,688; 6. Paul Eaves, $201,673; 7. Billie Jack Saebens, $197,295; 8. Kory Koontz, $179,421; 9. Joseph Harrison, $160,793; 10. Jade Corkill, $153,999; 11. Tyler McKnight, $150,297; 12. Russell Cardoza, $136,004; 13. Jake Minor, $133,069; 14. Wesley Thorp, $114,317; 15. Jeremy Buhler, $98,102. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Taos Muncy, 87.5 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Son of Sadie, $26,231; 2. (tie) CoBurn Bradshaw and Jake Wright, 86.5, $18,192 each. 4. Brody Cress, 86, $11,000; 5. Clay Elliott, 83.5, $6,769; 6. (tie) Cody DeMoss and Hardy Braden, 82, $2,115 each; 8. Zeke Thurston, 79.5; 9. Jacobs Crawley, Layton Green, Sterling Crawley, Ryder Wright, Heith DeMoss, Audy Reed and Jesse Wright, NT. Average standings: 1. Brody Cress, 841.5 points on 10 head; 2. Hardy Braden, 764 on nine; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, 757.5; 4. Sterling Crawley, 742.5; 5. Audy Reed, 721.5; 6. Jake Wright, 718.5; 7. Ryder Wright, 702.5 on eight; 8. Jacobs Crawley, 649.5. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $284,938; 2. Brody Cress, $282,287; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, $274,577; 4. Hardy Braden, $262,966; 5. Jacobs Crawley, $233,274; 6. Sterling Crawley, $215,530; 7. Zeke Thurston, $199,917; 8. Jake Wright, $168,450; 9. Layton Green, $156,292; 10. Cody DeMoss, $155,887; 11. Taos Muncy, $142,402; 12. Audy Reed, $133,033; 13. Heith DeMoss, $129,568; 14. Clay Elliott, $121,755; 15. Jesse Wright, $109,053. Tie-down roping: 1. Marcos Costa, 7.8 seconds, $26,231; 2. Cory Solomon, 8.1, $20,731; 3. Tyson Durfey, 8.2, $15,654; 4. Caleb Smidt, 8.3, $11,000; 5. (tie) Marty Yates and Cade Swor, 8.9, $5,500 each; 7. Trevor Brazile, 9.9; 8. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Cooper Martin, 10.1 each; 10. J.C. Malone, 10.9; 11. Tuf Cooper, 11.0; 12. Matt Shiozawa, 11.4; 13. Timber Moore, 11.5; 14. Randall Carlisle, 13.7; 15. Shane Hanchey, 14.1. Average standings: 1. Marcos Costa, 81.3 seconds on 10 head; 2. Tuf Cooper, 91.0; 3. Cory Solomon, 96.5; 4. Cade Swor, 103.7; 5. Shane Hanchey, 103.9; 6. Marty Yates, 84.5 on nine; 7. J.C. Malone, 86.2; 8. Timber Moore, 87.1. World standings: 1. Marcos Costa, $317,421; 2. Tuf Cooper, $301,983; 3. Marty Yates, $233,673; 4. Cade Swor, $210,748; 5. Caleb Smidt, $209,098; 6. Shane Hanchey, $203,460; 7. Cory Solomon, $202,460; 8. Trevor Brazile, $177,010; 9. Cooper Martin, $151,284; 10. Timber Moore, $148,423; 11. Ryan Jarrett, $144,979; 12. Tyson Durfey, $139,846; 13. Matt Shiozawa, $135,094; 14. J.C. Malone, $132,261; 15. Randall Carlisle, $130,681. Barrel racing: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.17 seconds, $26,231; 2. Sydni Blanchard, 13.39, $20,731; 3. Amberleigh Moore, 13.42, $15,654; 4. Taci Bettis, 13.54, $11,000; 5. Ivy Conrado, 13.60, $6,769; 6. Lisa Lockhart, 13.76, $4,231; 7. Nellie Miller, 13.85; 8. Tiany Schuster, 13.92; 9. Kathy Grimes, 13.97; 10. Tillar Murray, 14.0; 11.  Continue Reading »

LAS VEGAS – Tyler Pearson’s good week got better in a hurry Saturday night. Pearson closed out his second appearance at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with the most cherished prize in the game, the Montana Silversmiths gold buckle. He placed five times in 10 nights, wrestling 10 steers to the ground in 45.9 seconds to finish second in the average. In all, he pocketed $155,538 in Sin City, increasing his 2017 season earnings to $265,457. He beat his good friend, Montanan Ty Erickson, by just $2,200 to claim the gold. “I had no idea what was going to go on today,” said Pearson, a Louisville, Miss., cowboy now living in Atoka, Okla. “I knew I just needed to throw a steer down.” It came down to the final night of the rodeo season after Erickson was saddled with a 26.8-second run during Friday’s ninth round, when the steer nearly slipped through his grasp – he held on and trailed the steer as he finally settled on the long time. But it pushed him down the average race. He went from first to sixth, and Pearson remained No. 2. The $54,577 Pearson earned by having the second best cumulative time pushed the Mississippi bulldogger to the top. “I hated it so bad for Ty last night,” Pearson said. “I knew I had a chance. I did not know what I needed to do coming in to today. I just wanted to get a good start and throw my steer down. I had no idea I won until just a little bit ago. “It is unbelievable. This is a dream come true.” Every cowboy and cowgirl that has come up in the sport has dreamed of that gold buckle. It’s a lifetime love affair, and it’s special. But it’s one he’s worked hard for. Bulldogging didn’t come easy, but his work ethic and focus have guided him to the top of the mountain. “Sure, every guy wants to win the world title, but if I could pick the person who deserved it most, it would be Tyler,” said Kyle Irwin, Pearson’s traveling partner and the other half of the co-ownership of their mount, Scooter, the 2017 Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year. “I made the finals in ’14 and ’15, and he came up short, but he never stopped. He always believed in me. He helps other people. “He went through a lot last year with a flood in Louisiana, made it through that and moved to Oklahoma. He never gave up, he never quit. He believed in our horses, himself, our team, then he trusted me to come here and haze for him. For him to win the world title means everything to me.” It helps to have such great horsepower. In addition to Irwin and Pearson, Scooter carried Erickson and reigning champ Tyler Waguespack through 10 rounds. Combined, they earned nearly $230,000. Pearson added another $40,772 in mount money, a percentage of earnings by the other two bulldoggers. “Horsepower is everything here,” Pearson said. “Scooter is absolutely amazing. I’m glad this thing is over so he can rest. The four of us profited a good amount. “I came into this year’s NFR prepared. The last time I came, I was crippled, and I had been bulldogging good. To come in healthy one time and get some practice hours meant a lot. I practiced every day for about two months, and I’m sure glad it paid off.”

LAS VEGAS – Bareback riding can be likened to a fistfight, with animal and athlete taking blows and throwing haymakers. While battling for his second straight world championship, Tim O’Connell has had to fight through every step of the 2017 season. It paid off to the tune of $371,416. He won the Montana Silversmiths gold buckle by $103,000 and was less than $3,000 from the earnings mark he set a year ago. “I truly believe this one was harder to win than the first one,” said O’Connell, of Zwingle, Iowa. “There is a different approach to the year. There is a different mindset. There is a different hunger. To come here and compete against these guys, the brotherhood that we have in that locker room, the rankest horses in the world.” He rode the rankest of them all and placed seven of 10 nights. He scored 91.5 points in Round 3 to tie the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo arena record. “We have the best 105 horses to ever set foot in this arena and the best 15 bareback riders,” he said. “We just put a show on for everyone for the last 10 days. My hat’s off to those guys in the locker room for the last 10 days for pushing me to be the very best I can be.” He started strong, then had to overcome a stomach illness to return to the winner’s circle. He didn’t let it slow him or shake him. He persevered, but that’s what world champions do. “The middle of the week was a little rough for me with everything that happened,” O’Connell said. “The Lord took care of me. He put me on great draws all week. He didn’t put me on anything I couldn’t handle. “My hat’s off to my Lord and savior.” Hats are also off for O’Connell, who takes the gold back to Iowa for the second straight year.

LAS VEGAS – The shouts from Oklahoma are almost heard in the Nevada desert. Hardy Braden knows he has many people cheering him on in the Sooner State and several rooting for him in southeast Kansas. He is from the tiny town of Welch, Okla., and attended college at Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College and Oklahoma Panhandle State University. “It’s a special deal that I’m here to represent all that, and I’m glad it is working out well,” said Braden, who has more than doubled his season earnings while competing at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He entered ProRodeo’s championship with $102,774 and was ninth in the world standings. Over the first nine nights of the NFR, he has pocketed $103,500. He is now fourth in the world standings with a chance to cash in even more in Saturday’s 10th go-round. “I’m going to blame it on luck,” he said with a laugh. On Friday night, he rode Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s Angel Fire for 85.5 points to finish in a tie for third place. He added $13,327 to his income. “It was a little touch and go there for a bit,” Braden said. “She got up off the ground and had a lot of timing in there. Thank goodness she didn’t have any moves toward the end, because I was getting loose in the saddle, and she’s a bucker, so any moves could’ve put me on the ground.” The talented bay didn’t, though. Braden has ridden eight of nine horses – he was bucked off in the second round, which featured the hardest-to-ride horses in the world; he was just one of eight cowboys who failed to get a score that night. Since then, he’s ridden them all and placed seven nights. “I got to make this kind of money riding bucking horses, doing something I love,” he said. “Not a lot of people can say that. Not many people make that much money doing something they love. “It’s better than winning the lottery.” And Hardy Braden has the winning ticket.  

LAS VEGAS – Ryan Jarrett may not like the number, 6, but he’ll take it. Through nine nights of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the tie-down roper from Comanche, Okla., has placed four times – he won the opening round, then finished sixth in Rounds 5, 6 and 9. He hopes to change that Saturday night during the 10th round of this yea’s championship. “I had a pretty good calf, but I should have finished third or better,” he said of his ninth-round run, in which he roped and tied his calf in 7.9 seconds to earn $4,231. “It ended up being a 7.9 instead of being 7.0 or 7.1.” Shane Hanchey, the 2013 world champion, tied the fastest run of the week with a 6.9 to win the round, but there were fast times all night. Twice this week, Jarrett placed with runs in the 8-second range. He’ll take it. He has pushed his NFR earnings to almost $49,000. “It all adds up, but it would be alright with me to top it off with a win (Saturday),” he said. “That would be a good way to end the 2017 season. A go-round win would have me at $75,000. That’s what I was shooting for when I arrived, but sometimes things don’t work out.” That is ProRodeo’s grand championship in a nutshell. While saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright has earned $174,000 in Las Vegas, there are several cowboys and cowgirls that haven’t cashed in at all. For Jarrett, he’ll take whatever he can get. “it’s the way the chips fall out here,” he said. I’ve been on the end when you could do no wrong, and I’ve been on the slow end, too. “I’m not doing anything different. My horse has been working good. I don’t have to worry about him at all. I was curious as to how he was going to work, but he’d done great.” While there has been some disappointment in the Nevada desert, Jarrett looks at every situation in a positive light. The money may not be where he wants it heading into the final night of the season, but he’s earned nearly $145,000 doing something he loves in 2017. “I learn something every time I compete, so I can take that with me,” he said. “You have to learn, or you won’t get any better.”

LAS VEGAS – The rodeo season is like a roller coaster; there are ups and downs, twists and turns that play with emotions and test talent. The biggest ride in the world wraps up Saturday in the City of Lights. The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the richest rodeo in the world spread out over 10 December nights, where the highs are the highest and the lows can seemingly drop right out of the sky. Bareback rider Tanner Aus has experienced them over the last nine days. He has earned at least a share of go-round victories on two nights, and he’s felt the dangers that come with riding bucking beasts for a living. One night after having his hand stuck in his rigging after riding Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Dirty Flirt and being slung around the arena for several seconds, he rode Cervi Championship Rodeo’s William Wallace for 86 points to finish fourth in Friday’s ninth round, worth $11,000. “I drew Hell on Hooves, a great horse of J Bar J’s,” Aus said, explaining that the horse was having trouble in the chute, so he got an opportunity to ride the Cervi horse. “I had the same issue with (Hell on Hooves) in Killdeer (N.D.) this summer. I was having flash backs of that whole situation. “When they offered me the re-ride, I knew it was a good chance; I went with my gut (instincts), and it paid off for me. It was a great horse.” Heading into Saturday’s final night of the 2017 season, the Granite Falls, Minn., cowboy has returned to the No. 2 spot in the world standings. He has placed four times and earned more than $76,000 through nine rounds. He has pushed his season earnings to $212,868. He still has on outside chance to catch the standings leader, Tim O’Connell, but many things would have to occur for that to happen. It is O’Connell’s race to lose, but Aus still has two chances to cash in while in the Nevada desert. The 10th round still has a payout, and he is No. 5 in the NFR average race. If he were to remain in that position, he would add another $23,000 to his season. “I do have goals for winning a world title,” he said. “Tim is just on fire, and he rides so good and is so confident and so consistent. That just sets the bar higher. I’ve got to focus on the 10th round. It’s all about preparation. It is about forming a game place. “Hopefully next year, Tim will be chasing me instead of me chasing him.”

Bareback riding: 1. Jake Brown, 87.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo Nutrena’s Molly Brown, $26,231; 2. Steven Dent, 87, $20,731; 3. Caleb Bennett, 86.5, $15,654; 4. Tanner Aus, $11,000; 5. (tie) Tim O’Connell and JR Vezain, 85, $5,500 each. Steer wrestling: 1. Scott Guenthner, 3.3 seconds, $26,231; 2. Dakota Eldridge, 3.5, $20,731; 3. Tyler Waguespack, 3.6, $15,654; 4. (tie) Chason Floyd, Olin Hannum and J.D. Struxness, 3.7, $7,333 each. Team roping: 1. Kaleb Drigger/Junior Nogueira, 3.3 seconds, $26,231; 2. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 3.7, $20,731; 3. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 3.9, $15,654; 4. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 4.0, $11,000; 5. Tom Richards/Jeremy Buhler, 4.1, $6,769; 6. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 4.3, $4,231. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Ryder Wright, 87 points on Korkow Rodeos Kitty Whistle, $26,231; 2. Sterling Crawley, 86.5, $20,731; 3. (tie) Hardy Braden and Brody Cress, 85.5, $13,327 each; 5. (tie) Jake Wright and Audy Reed, 80.5, $5,500 each. Tie-down roping: 1.Shane Hanchey, 6.8 seconds, $26,231; 2. Matt Shiozawa, 7.0, $20,731; 3. Marty Yates, 7.3, $15,654; 4. (tie) Cooper Martin and Cory Solomon, 7.4, $8,885 each; 6. Ryan Jarrett, 7.9, $4,231.  Barrel racing: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.34 seconds, $26,231; 2. Nellie Miller, 13.52, $20,731; 3. Kassie Mowry, 13.66, $15,654; 4. Taci Bettis, 13.7, $11,000; 5. Tillar Murray, 13.85, $6,769; 6. Ivy Conrado, 13.87, $4,231. Bull riding: 1. Trey Benton, on Rafter H Rodeo’s Nose Bender, and Boudreaux Campbell, on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Reveloution, 88 points, $42,308 each; no other qualified rides.

LAS VEGAS – Tim O’Connell’s second world championship is so close he can taste it. He almost clinched the Montana Silversmith’s gold buckle on Friday night with an 85-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Feather Fluffer. He finished in a tie for fifth place in the ninth round, worth $5,500. He owns a lead of more than $91,000 over the No. 2 man, Tanner Aus, but Aus still has a mathematical chance to catch the reigning champ. “It’s been an amazing finals,” said O’Connell, who battled through sickness earlier in the week to remain atop the world standings and the aggregate race. “I feel like I’ve drawn really well. I feel like I’ve taken advantage of the times I’ve had great horses. They definitely wanted me to work for it in the ‘eliminator’ pens; I had the 2017 horse of the year and the 2016 horse of the year. “They put the giants in front of me, and I had to fist fight for it.” He’s also been in a battle with the 14 other bareback riders, who placed a target on his back and gunned for it. That’s why Aus still has a shot to take him down. With one night remaining in the 2017 season, O’Connell know what he needs to do to walk away with gold buckle No. 2. He will be matched with Wayne Vold Rodeo’s Mucho Dinero. It should be another rank night of bareback riding in Las Vegas. “There are all those social media people that we don’t have the rankest horses here,” O’Connell said. “Times change, and I really do believe that we did pick the best 105 horses on the planet to come here. The generation, the breeding, the stock contractors … my hat is off to them. “There is no rodeo in the world that it takes this high of a score to place every night. The guys and the quality of horses is coming together. It’s all matching up.” He owns a seven-point lead in the average over Richmond Champion heading into the final night of the season. “Last year I’m pretty sure I was winning the average at this point by 20-some points,” O’Connell said. “I’m pretty sure I’m on pace to break what my average was last year. Other than money, I think I’ve had a better finals than I did last year, because everybody is pushing each other.” Make no doubt about it, the reigning world champion is pushing himself. That’s what winners do.

LAS VEGAS – Much like this city itself, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is filled with exciting expectations, huge victories and days of frustration. In his four years at ProRodeo’s grand finale, Coleman Proctor has felt them all. Heading into the ninth night of this year’s championship, he and his heeler, Billie Jack Saebens, had found the pay window just one time, a tie for third place in Monday’s fifth round. After three more nights of finishing out of the money, the two Oklahomans headed to Top Golf just two miles west of the Thomas & Mack Center. They let out a little bit of frustration and enjoyed a little team bonding. “We kind of loosened up a little and hit some golf balls,” said Proctor, who, with Saebens, stopped the clock Friday in 3.9 seconds to finish third in a fast ninth go-round, worth $15,654. “Whenever they would replay that run we had (Thursday), we tried to hit it on the screen.” He was joking, of course, because he understands what it means to be one of the top 15 teams competing at the biggest rodeo in the world. He and Saebens haven’t had the greatest luck, but they have earned $38,981 in nine nights. More importantly, they have toped eight steers in a cumulative time of 56.8 seconds and sit fourth in all-important average race. Should they remain in that position at the NFR’s conclusion tomorrow night, they will add $31,731. If they move up one spot to third, the bonus would be $43,154. “It has been a great week,” said Proctor, who scored his first sub-4-second run at the NFR in his four trips. “I think what’s different this year is that we’ve been here before, and we have felt comfortable all week. We were roping good; we were just catching a few bad breaks here and there. Now it’s sifting its way back. Maybe we will win some big money tomorrow night and go home.” There is some unfinished business. On a night when gold buckles will be presented to the world champions, Proctor and Saebens will work to find their way to a top spot in the round. Every dollar counts – in life and in the world standings. “We are trying our best,” he said. “Billie gives it his all, and I give it my all. That is just how it shakes out sometimes in team roping. We have a great friendship. It’s a business, but he is one of my better friends. I always want to be there to pick him up, and he is always there to pick me up. That’s what allows us to bounce back like we do.” They need to do that again Saturday, but no matter what, he has plenty of memories to take back to Pryor, Okla., and pass along to his family. “The National Finals is awesome,” Proctor said. “There is not another experience like this. I’ve been to all the best rodeos in the world, and this is obviously the greatest one you will ever go to. We are having fun and enjoying every minute of it.”

LAS VEGAS – J.D. Struxness is doing everything he can to make it work at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. On Friday night, he mounted his third horse in the last week and made it work with a 3.7-second round to finish tied for fourth in the ninth go-round. He pocketed $7,333 for the run and increased his Sin City earnings to $62,095. But it was the first time he has placed since the fifth night of the championship. “The last couple of rounds, we just had steers that I wasn’t meant to place on,” said Struxness of Appleton, Minn. “We haven’t been getting the start, so we made another horse change.” That horse is Rusty, is owned by Dakota Eldridge, who won Round 7 with a 3.3-second run. “We finally hit the start and made a good run, and we are back at the pay window,” Struxness said. “This is a good pen of cattle, so a fast round like that was fun. It is always fun to have a fast round like that and be able to be part of it.” The top three times were 3.3 seconds, 3.5 and 3.6. Struxnesses was tied with Chason Floyd and Olin Hannum for the bottom three spots. It was fast and furious and probably the best round of this year’s NFR. “Vegas is always a good time,” Struxness said. “The stuff we got going on with the horses is just something we have to deal with. We still have to come out here and bulldog and make the best runs we can.” His good horse, Peso, became sick earlier this week. He switched to Todd Suhn’s horse, Max for a bit before leaning on Rusty. As of Friday, Peso remains ill. “He’s done for the week and is ready for the road home,” said Struxness, who sits fifth in the average. “Tomorrow it would be great to come with a good steer. On Rusty, I know I’m going to get the start and have a good go. I want to make a good run, get some money in the round and then hang on to a spot in the average.” Fifth in the average would pay an addition $22,846 and would help make his trip to the City of Lights that much better.

Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira just tied a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo arena record with a 3.3-second run.

LAS VEGAS – Tim O’Connell had a gut feeling the match-up was going to happen. The reigning world champion bareback rider had already been matched with the 2017 Bareback Horse of the Year, Virgil, in the third go-round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The result was an arena-record tying ride of 91.5. In his heart, though, O’Connell just knew he would be matched with the 2016 Horse of the Year, Powder River Rodeo’s Craig at Midnight. Both are powerful gray horses, athletic and extremely hard to ride. “John Franzen would always send me videos of Craig running through the pastures and getting him beefed up and ready to go to the NFR,” he said, referring to the son of Powder River’s owner, Hank Franzen. “God has a funny way of just letting you know. “I knew I was going to have Craig at Midnight at the second ‘eliminator’ round.” That happened Thursday night during the eighth round of ProRodeo’s grand championship. The two powerhouses slugged it out across the Thomas & Mack Arena dirt for 85 points. That was good enough to finish in a tie for fourth place, worth $8,885 and increased O’Connell’s NFR earnings to $96,731. His dance with what he dubbed as a “fire-breathing dragon” helped push his season earnings to $298,647 – just a stone’s throw from crossing the $300,000 barrier. He has ridden eight horses for a cumulative score of 683 points and leads the average race – should he stay there through the final two rounds, he will pocket an additional $67,269. That means he has a very good chance to earn more in 2017 than he did in his first gold-buckle campaign. But Thursday night was not easy. Craig at Midnight did everything he could to get O’Connell to the ground. “My trainer and I talked about it, and we prepared for stuff like this,” he said. “The stuff that makes champions champions is when you have to dig down deep. You show up not knowing if you’re going to win or not. “There’s a saying: ‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog.’ I kept telling myself that before I nodded my head (to start the ride). ‘It is not his night tonight. He can have it any other night, but not tonight. It’s my night. There is nothing that horse can do tonight to get me on the ground.’ ” It was like a prize fight, and it’s quite fitting that it happened in Las Vegas. There were no tricks; it was just two champions going blow to blow for 8 seconds. “I didn’t make the pickup horse; he launched me in the air,” O’Connell said. “I feel like I was 20 feet in the air before I started to come down. He had a shot to kick me if he wanted, and he chose not to. I was just very thankful that I had faith and that, now, the ‘eliminator’ pens area done.” There are two nights remaining for the 2017 season. O’Connell has a lead of more than $93,000 over the No. 2 man, Texan Richmond Champion. But no lead is secure, especially with so much money on the table. O’Connell leads Champion by just half a point in the average race. Still, he will appreciate his ride on a big gray horse on the eighth night of the NFR. “I had to bear down tonight,” O’Connell said. “I don’t know if my form was very great, but I just fought tonight. When you have to fight to stay on one you have to give it everything you got, and I gave it everything I had. That is a win for me. I don’t care if I would have won the round or if I would have been last, but I knew I left if all on the table.”

LAS VEGAS – Hardy Braden doesn’t have to look too far to find his bronc riding hero. It’s his dad, Butch, who rode broncs professionally for a number of years before becoming a PRCA pickup man. Hardy Braden learned everything he knows about the game from his dad before furthering his education at both Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College and Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Earlier this week, after failing to place in the sixth round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Braden reached out to his father for some advice. It has paid off in spades; he won Round 7 and finished fifth in the eighth round. “I’d been sitting on my right foot a little bit and getting up in my saddle,” he said. “I called him just to verify what I had done. I take my binds up a half hole to make it a little tighter and to keep my foot from coming all the way up in the saddle. “I asked him if that was the right decision to make and clarify what I was thinking. He agreed, and he mentioned that he thought that a couple rounds ago that I probably should have done that. Hee is always the one to call for me as far as advice or to justify my thinking.” That’s because Butch Braden is his son’s trainer and coach and has been before the 28-year-old cowboy began riding bucking horses. “He is my everything; he is my world,” the young Braden said. His ride Thursday added $6,769 to his pocketbook, increasing his NFR take to $90,173. “That is pretty unbelievable,” he said, noting that he might have to do something special for his family after the NFR concludes. “Everyone is getting special Christmas presents, I guess.” He laughed a little, but he was serious. His family has been by his side since the beginning. While Dad serves as a pickup man, his mom, Tammy, is a PRCA timer who worked the NFR from 2013-15. He also has a sister, Tara, who has been beside her brother every step of the way. On Thursday, he matched moves with Outlaw Buckers Rodeo’s OLS Tubs Magic Carpet for 84.5 points. “I had seen t hat horse go; Sterling (Crawley) had it in the third round,” Braden said. “He told me what he did with the horse, and I was just trying to do the same day. She had a decent trip with Sterling, and I was just trying to match that. “She tried a little harder than I was expecting. She almost ran me out of the back of the saddle.” He stayed in the buggy and looked strong doing it, but he’s been doing it most of this year’s NFR. He has placed in six of eight rounds and pushed his earnings to $192,947. He sits fifth in the world standings and is excited to ride in the final two go-rounds. After having so much success through the first eight nights, there’s no reason he wouldn’t be excited.

Defending champ, Inman advance to final day of BFO Las Vegas Championship LAS VEGAS – Fifteen stitches and a bum hamstring had nothing on Weston Rutkowski. The reigning Bullfighters Only world champion suffered those injuries a week ago, but what hurt him more was the doubt that was cast on his ability and his work ethic. He answered those doubts Thursday afternoon with a 90.5-point fight during the second Preliminary Round of the BFO Las Vegas Championship at the Tropicana Casino and Resort. “This was about redemption,” said Rutkowski, the No. 1 man in the Pendleton Whisky World Standings and the frontrunner to repeat as the world champ. “There were a lot of people wondering if I could, if I could come in and take over. “The Roughy Cup (last week) didn’t go as good as I wanted to, and I got 15 staples and reaggravated a hamstring injury. So, this was getting back to the basics to prove to everybody that I know how to fight bulls. This is a very dangerous sport, but in order to be a world champion, you have to battle through that and make yourself fight your fight.” His bout was so strong that it didn’t look like the injuries even hampered him. He admitted, though, that he had to block it out to a point. “Winning my round today means I get a day off, another day of rehab over here at the Fit N Wise sports medicine,” he said. “It’ll be nice to have an extra day off to be able to get ready to fight at the finals Saturday.” Trainers have outfitted Rutkowski with a specialized wrap to help protect the hamstring as much as possible. He tested it out Wednesday night to make sure everything was good to go for his round. “I went down to the arena, and I pretended to fight bulls for 45 minutes to an hour,” he said. “I proved to myself that the wrap would hold up.” That was all he needed to help his confidence and put on the fight necessary to advance to Championship Saturday. “One slip or one fall, and people think you’ve lost your step,” Rutkowski said. “If you can’t get up from some bumps and bruises, then this isn’t the sport for you. “I’m not going to bow down. The world title goes through me, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let go of it without putting up a fight.” While he is the No. 1 man in the game, there is one man that can catch Rutkowski: Toby Inman of Davis Junction, Ill., who joins Rutkowski and Kris Furr of Hamptonville, N.C., in advancing to Saturday’s finale. Furr won his three-man bout with an 80, while Inman scored 85 to advance. “I thought my fight went great,” said Inman, who returned to the sport in 2016 after retiring five years before. “That was maybe the happiest I’ve ever felt before a fight. Today I wasn’t overthinking stuff. “I had a fun little red bull, and I knew I just needed to play my cards right to advance. Thankfully I didn’t have Weston in my round. I just did a simple fight and made it work.” Results Weston Rutkowski, 90.5; Toby Inman, 85; and Kris Furr, 80.