Smith Captures Deadwood Title
DEADWOOD, SD. – This has been an outstanding season for bull rider Garrett Smith.
All season, the Rexburg, Idaho, cowboy has seemingly been in the top two of the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings
“This has been unbelievable season for me,” Smith said. “Everything seems to be clicking.”
His position in the standings – second – will not change after his stellar performance at the Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo (July 26-29).
Smith had an 87.5-point trip on Bar T Rodeo’s Cool Friend to capture the title in his inaugural appearance at the Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo.
Smith’s effort was a measure of revenge as a year ago at Pleasant Grove, Utah, Cool Friend got the best of him.
“He bucked me off in like two seconds,” Smith said. “I really didn’t know what he was going to do this time. He kicked and spun and he was tough and it was one of those rides where you had to grit it out.”
Smith was rewarded for his ride with $4,385 in earnings. As of July 25, Smith was second in the world standings with $129,067.
“My traveling partners, Riker Carter and Steve Woolsey wanted to go to Deadwood, so we went,” Smith said. “This feels great to win such a prestigious rodeo like Deadwood. Everything is old-school about this rodeo and it’s really cool to be a part of it, and win. This was just awesome.”
This week has been strong for Smith. He earned $3,200 at the Cowboy Games and Rodeo in Salt Lake City, Utah July 25. He followed that up by winning the Central Montana RAM Pro Rodeo in Lewistown July 27, collecting a $1,922 check. As of late July 29, Smith also was leading Medicine Hat (Alberta) Stampede.
A year ago, Smith made his debut at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER. He won $77,269 and finished fifth in the world standings with $171,698.
“This year has been the most fun I’ve ever had rodeoing and the gold buckle is the goal,” Smith said. “Last year helped me a bunch in terms of experience and I’m going to keep going to as many rodeos as I can and keep my momentum going.”
Other winners at the $223,489 rodeo were all-around cowboy Paul David Tierney ($4,695, tie-down roping and team roping), bareback rider Shane O’Connell (86.5 points on Brookman Rodeo’s Risky Business), steer wrestler Cody Cabral and Kyle Whitaker (7.9 seconds on two head each), team ropers Kelsey Parchman/Chase Tryan (9.7 seconds on two head), saddle bronc rider Chet Johnson (86.5 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Bridal Shower), tie-down roper Josh Peek (17.3 seconds on two head), barrel racer Taci Bettis (17.89 seconds), and steer roper Jess Tierney (33.9 seconds on three head).
For more coverage of the Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo, check out the Aug. 18 issue of the ProRodeo Sports News.
Courtesy of PRCA