Mora and Shawnego Strike Gold in California
LANCASTER, Calif. – Although they found themselves without their usual team roping partners, Cody Mora and Joseph Shawnego struck gold for the first time at the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo on Oct. 15.
“We were kind of the odd men out,” Shawnego said. “I was roping with several different guys this year and he (Mora) made it and his partner didn’t make it, so we were thrown together.”
The 37-year-old ropers had competed together before at unsanctioned events, but it had been a while. Fortunately, that proved not to be a problem for the California natives as they placed second in the first round with 7.2 seconds and won the average with 21.1 on three head.
“We drew the perfect steer this afternoon,” Mora said. “I thought I took a more aggressive start at the barrier and I took an extra swing to set him up for my partner. It was a basic run, we knew we just had to catch to win the average, but I didn’t want to lay-up.”
“We had three really good steers and we went and stayed within our capabilities and made three clean runs,” Shawnego said. “It’s kind of like the tortoise and the hare, we weaved through the traffic and made our own runs and stuck to our game plan.”
Both ropers had competed at the RCCFR several times, Mora estimated about eight or nine times, and Shawnego speculated he’s competed there somewhere between 12-14 times. But, this was the first time either of them left Lancaster the victor.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve made the (California) Circuit Finals – but whatever it is, it’s rewarding to finally win it,” Shawnego said.
Mora had been creeping closer to winning the RCCFR, having placed second in Oct. 2016 and third in Oct. 2015.
“Every year, I get one step closer,” Mora said.
Although it was his first time winning the RCCFR, Shawnego is no stranger to success in the RAM California Circuit, as he was the California Circuit Standings leader for team roping heelers in 2014 and 2015.
“This (winning the RCCFR) ranks right up there,” Shawnego said. “It’s a special win – I’m not 22 or 23, I’m getting a bit older and I took some rips at it trying to win the average, and it means a lot to me to finally pull it off.”
During the 2017 season, Mora won the Oakdale (Calif.) Saddle Club Rodeo with Jason Johe on April 9. Meanwhile, Shawnego won the Gold County Pro Rodeo in Auburn, Calif., with Daniel Green on April 30; and he won the Tehachapi (Calif.) Mountain PRCA Rodeo with Tanner Kent on Aug. 19.
They ended the 2017 season with Shawnego in fifth with $10,861 among the California Circuit’s heelers and Mora was 12th with $6,537 among the headers.
Mora and Shawnego each received $4,427 at the RCCFR – but the real worth is the opportunities this win opens for them in the 2018 season, namely a qualification to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., in April.
“If I didn’t win it, I wouldn’t be going anywhere because I’ve got family and cows,” Mora said.
Mora competed on the same American Quarter Horse gelding he’d won Oakdale on – Badger.
“He scores really good and doesn’t get in my way,” Mora said. “He’s easy to catch on and other guys have won on him, too, so he’s pretty user-friendly.”
Shawnego competed on Rose, a 14-year-old American Quarter Horse that he raised and trained.
“I had competed on her brothers, but due to age and soundness issues, I’m unable to compete on them anymore, so she’s got her shot,” Shawnego said. “She was always like my third horse – now she’s getting her chance to show what’s she’s got.”
Between now and the RNCFR, both ropers plan to compete throughout the fall and winter.
“I’ll go to more rodeos to stay sharp so you’re not going cold turkey (at the RNCFR),” Mora said.
As for Shawnego, winning the RCCFR doesn’t impact his plans for the 2018 season.
“I’ll go to my circuit rodeos and go down there (the RNCFR) and keep on trucking,” Shawnego said. “The money is so good, I’d rather be riding my own horse. We usually make a trip out of it and try to go to some other rodeos on the way there.”
“They say it takes 48 hours with driving, so it’ll probably be like four days between stops,” Mora said.
Other winners at the $176,453 rodeo were all-around cowboy Ryle Smith ($11,806 in tie-down roping and steer wrestling); bareback rider Clayton Biglow (250.5 points on three head); steer wrestlers Billy Bugenig and Josh Garner (14.8 seconds on three head each); saddle bronc rider Ben Londo (233.5 points on three head); tie-down roper Ryle Smith (29.8 seconds on three head); barrel racer Trula Churchill (53.64 seconds on three runs); and bull rider Aaron Williams (162.5 points on two head).
For more coverage of the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo, check out the Oct. 27 edition of ProRodeo Sports News.
Courtesy of PRCA