Standings Shuffle: 42 Move Up in Top 15
By Matt Naber
The 2019 season is unfolding into what could be one of the most profitable in recent years as some cowboys have already won more money this year than what was needed to make a qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last year.
Bareback rider Orin Larsen has won $80,258 this season, which was enough to rank within the Top 15 at the end of the 2018 regular season. The same holds true for steer wrestler Ty Erickson with $76,173, team roping heeler Ryan Motes with $67,666 and saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright with $86,333.
These cowboys and the rest of the PRCA competing members greatly benefited from the addition of The American in Arlington, Texas. From Feb. 26 through March 11, there were 15 competitions where 42 cowboys climbed within the Top 15.
Cowboys know it’s easier to maintain a position at the top than it is to play catch-up when trying to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Every dollar counts, and making the Top 15 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings early establishes a solid base and builds a cowboy’s confidence as the season picks up pace.
Nobody knows that better than two-time Tie-down Roping World Champion Caleb Smidt. Two weeks ago, Smidt was 95th in the tie-down roping world standings. After winning The American, Smidt launched 93 spots to second in the world with $52,000. Not only that, but he went from unranked in the coveted all-around race to first with $55,407.
With the conclusion of RodeoHouston this weekend, and the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo on the horizon, big jumps such as these are sure to happen again.
Outside top 200
• Jarrett Blessing moved from outside the top 200 to 15th in steer roping.
30 Spots
• Coleman Proctor moved from 31st to first in team roping heading.
23 Spots
• Tristan Mize moved from 32nd to ninth in bull riding.
17 Spots
• Rhen Richard moved from 21st to fourth in tie-down roping.
12 Spots
• Hunter Cure moved from 15th to third in steer wrestling.
10 Spots
• Sage Kimzey moved from 18th to eighth in bull riding.
Eight Spots
• Kaycee Feild moved from 10th to second in bareback riding.
Seven Spots
• Ryan Motes moved from eighth to first in team roping heeling.
Six Spots
• Stephen Culling moved from 10th to fourth in steer wrestling.
• Jake Watson moved from 11th to fifth in saddle bronc riding.
• Tony Reina moved from 18th to 12th in steer roping.
• Brodie Poppino moved from 19th to 13th in steer roping.
Five Spots
• Ty Erickson moved from sixth to first in steer wrestling.
• R.C. Landingham moved from 18th to 13th in bareback riding.
Four Spots
• Riley Minor moved from sixth to second in team roping heading.
• Hunter Koch moved from 11th to seventh in team roping heeling.
• Wyatt Denny moved from 15th to 11th in bareback riding.
• J. Tom Fisher moved from 15th to 11th in steer roping.
• Jesse Kruse moved from 17th to 13th in saddle bronc riding.
Three Spots
• Orin Larsen moved from fourth to first in bareback riding.
• Ryder Wright moved from fourth to first in saddle bronc riding.
• Brady Minor moved from fifth to second in team roping heeling.
• Cody Lee moved from ninth to sixth in steer roping.
• Caleb Bennett moved from 17th to 14th in bareback riding.
• Jade Blackwell moved from 18th to 15th in saddle bronc riding.
Two Spots
• Tuf Cooper moved from seventh to fifth in steer roping.
• Roscoe Jarboe moved from eighth to sixth in bull riding.
• Ty Blasingame moved from 12th to 10th in team roping heading.
• Wesley Thorp moved from 13th to 11th in team roping heeling.
• Tyler Pearson moved from 17th to 15th in steer wrestling.
One Spot
• Jacobs Crawley moved from third to second in saddle bronc riding.
• Trey Benton III moved from third to second in bull riding.
• Shay Good moved from fourth to third in steer roping.
• Tyler Bingham moved from sixth to fifth in bull riding.
• Tilden Hooper moved from seventh to sixth in bareback riding.
• Cole Patterson moved from 11th to 10th in steer roping.
• Ruger Piva moved from 12th to 11th in bull riding.
• Cody Snow moved from 13th to 12th in team roping heading.
• Jake Finlay moved from 13th to 12th in saddle bronc riding.
• Logan Medlin moved from 15th to 14th in team roping heeling.
• Dallee Mason moved from 15th to 14th in bull riding.
Cowboys on the bubble for a spot in the Top 15 can find themselves a few dollars short of qualifying for the Wrangler NFR. The end of the 2019 season is so far away that the bubble doesn’t matter yet, but it’s still noteworthy to see who is on the cusp of breaking into the Top 15. The following cowboys climbed the standings to No. 16.
• Bareback rider Blake Smith moved from 24th and is $39 away from breaking into the Top 15.
• Steer wrestler Aaron Vosler moved from 27th and is $330 away from breaking into the Top 15.
• Team roping heeler Zack Mabry moved from 32nd and is $142 away from breaking into the Top 15.
• Tie-down roper Ty Harris moved from 49th and is $792 away from breaking into the Top 15.
With RodeoHouston concluding as Rodeo Austin (Texas) starts Saturday, these rodeos and others are sure to have a big impact on the world standings.
Check back with prorodeo.com next week to see who the new leaders are in the world standings.
Courtesy of PRCA