Oregon Ropers Win First Round at RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (April 7, 2017) – Oregon cowboys Hayes Smith of Central Point and Russell Cardoza of Terrebonne won the first round of team roping at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo. The pair clocked a time of 4.7 seconds Thursday afternoon and had to watch another set of ropers try to beat their time Friday night

Their time was two-tenths of a second faster than the second-place team, Arizonans Edward Hawley and Ty Romo who had the fastest time on Friday night.

All 26 teams from 13 circuits of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will compete on Saturday. Smith and Cardoza will compete again on Saturday night in the second round. The eight teams with the fastest total time on the two rounds will advance to Sunday’s semifinals.

At stake are national championships and $1 million in cash and prizes. For the first time, the money that is earned at the RNCFR counts in the world standings for the sanctioning organizations, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.