Whitfield continues success in San Antonio rodeo
By Susan Kanode/for the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Fred Whitfield has been one of the most successful rodeo contestants in the long history of the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo.
He won the tie-down roping here the first time in 1999 and since then he has earned one of the coveted championship buckles three more times in his signature event as well as one as the all-around champion. Whitfield’s schedule has slowed down since he earned his last title here in 2005 so he could stay closer to home and have more time with his family.
That may change.
He is currently ranked 15th in the Windham Weaponry High Performance PRCA world standings and is the high money earner in tie-down roping in bracket 3, set to be back here to rope in the semifinals. He sealed the deal here on Feb. 13 with a 7.4-second run earning $1,955. He has collected $3,177 out of this $1,269,235 rodeo and is hoping for even more.
“This rodeo has been good to me in the past,” Whitfield said. “My approach to rodeoing may be different now, but my approach to roping is the same as it has always been. That paid off here tonight.”
The high money earner in the bracket was another former champion. Trevor Knowles from Mount Vernon, Ore., won the steer wrestling here in 2004. He finished second in the first round, then won rounds two and three collecting a total of $5,377.
Beau Schroeder, from China, Texas, leads the bull riding standings with $3,177. Schroeder was critically injured last March and just returned to competition last fall. He got his money here by staying on all three bulls and placing in each round.
“I can’t remember when I’ve stayed on three bulls in a row,” Schroeder said. “This really helps my confidence and now I’m looking forward to the semifinals.”
The tenth performance at 7:30 p.m. (CT) on Feb. 14 starts the fourth of five brackets.
Courtesy of PRCA