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Hanchey Again Strikes it Rich in Redding

by ProRodeo.com | May 17, 2014
Shane Hanchey 2014 Champions Challenge Redding

REDDING, Calif. – Shane Hanchey was nowhere near Sulphur, La., Saturday night, but he still felt right at home backing into the box in Redding.

The 2013 world champion tie-down roper won the Redding Wrangler Champions Challenge, presented by Justin Boots, with a 7.4-second run.

“It’s one of those arenas that (when) I back into the box I have confidence that I will do well,” Hanchey said. “The calves are pretty good here, and it’s nice to be competing in front of these fans at an event like this.”

Hanchey not only won, but did so on a brand new horse he was using for the first time at a rodeo. Three weeks ago, he bought Blair Burk’s horse, Boss, who Burk rode at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2007 and 2009.

The 17-year-old horse was added to Hanchey’s stable to provide some quality depth and a reliable mount to ride until his main horse, Reata, is ready for the summer run.

“I needed a horse to be able to take to Canada and all around for the rest of the spring, and so far I’m very pleased with my purchase,” Hanchey said. “Boss is a seasoned veteran and I’m looking forward to the summer. Reata is resting up and getting ready for the summer run, and buying Boss was about peace of mind, that I know I have a horse that I can get on and have almost as much confidence as I do in Reata.”

Boss’ first trip with his new owner could’ve have gone any better. After Tyson Durfey posted a 7.7 to open in the round, Hanchey knew he and Boss would have to be quick, and they were.

For Hanchey, who only earned $666 at the Redding Rodeo earlier in the week, the $5,440 he pocketed for the Wrangler Champions Challenge win made the trip to California much better.

“Tuf (Cooper) and I flew out here from Dallas on Thursday and we wanted to come into tonight and win as much as we could after not having much luck at the rodeo,” Hanchey said. “After tonight, the trip was worth it for sure.”

Hanchey entered the weekend fourth in the Windham Weaponry High Performance PRCA World Standings. He says he isn’t worried about his place in the standings until Reno next month, but that being the defending world champion is still something he’s getting used to.

“When you hear the announcer call you the defending champ, it’s awesome; I try not to listen to it, but it’s hard not to,” Hanchey said. “It brings back great memories that I and my family will never forget. It’s a new self-confidence, but I’ve tried to not change at all, even with this buckle on. I want to stay the same person, and it fuels my fire to prove that I can stay on top and win another gold buckle.”

The other winners at the $124,900 rodeo were all-around cowboy Trevor Brazile ($6,240 in team roping and tie-down roping), bareback rider Austin Foss (86 points), steer wrestlers Trevor Knowles and Luke Branquinho (4.2 seconds each), team ropers Kaleb Driggers and Patrick Smith (4.6 seconds), saddle bronc rider Cole Elshere (85 points), barrel racers Christy Loflin and Carlee Pierce (17.37 seconds each) and bull rider Cody Campbell (91 points).

It was a weekend sweep for Branquinho, who won both rounds and the average in the Redding Rodeo before sharing the WCC title for total weekend earnings of $10,314. He’s won three of the last five Redding Rodeo titles and four overall; he won in 2006 when he also swept both rounds and the average. It was Knowles’ third consecutive win in WCC competition, following outright wins at Scottsdale (Ariz.) and Rapid City (S.D.).

Campbell’s 91-point ride – a WCC record – was on Growney Brothers’ What a Ball, the same bull that Brennon Eldred rode for 92 points to win the Redding Rodeo earlier in the week. It was also Campbell’s second win in a row in WCC competition. He won in Scottsdale, Ariz., with an 89.5-point ride.

Courtesy of PRCA

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