Clay Smith/Jake Long Strike Paydirt at National Western Stock Show and Rodeo
DENVER – The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver has become like a second home for team ropers Clay Smith/Jake Long.
The duo didn’t have the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo they wanted in December, but fast forward just a month and the veteran team ropers are already putting their stamp on the 2023 season.
As the second to last team out, they knew exactly what they had to do and delivered. They stopped the clock in 3.9 seconds to take home the title in the winner-take all finals inside the Denver Coliseum.
It marks the third time Smith has won the NWSSR and the fourth for Long. They knew they would have to be fast after reigning PRCA World Champions Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira put together a 4.1-second run before them.
“We knew that there were some tough teams up (Sunday) and we knew it could really go anybody’s way,” said Smith, an eight-time Wrangler NFR qualifier. “That’s where position means a lot.
“As far down as we were we kind of got to decide what we wanted to do. I knew what he (Long) was going to do and that’s heel them fast. We had to decide what to do, we make a clean run and place third or fourth or go for it and try to win. So, we decided let’s try to put together a good one.”
Long echoed a similar statement as his partner. He said he’s most comfortable roping when they have to be fast to reach the pay window.
“Truthfully, going fast is when I’m most comfortable,” said Long, 38. “He (Smith) set him up really good, so it really wasn’t a risk on my end to take my shot. It was all Clay setting him and getting him turned. My part was pretty easy after that.”
Smith and Long failed to place in either of the first two rounds, but struck paydirt when it mattered most. They won the semifinal round with a 4.3-second run to advance to Sunday’s finals. In total, they pocketed $6,821 over four runs in the Mile High City. They are excited to see what the 2023 season has in store after a key early season win.
“We were sure excited about a clean slate after last year. Me being halfway healthy most the season and not roping good for most the year was tough,” Smith said. “It feels good to finally be getting healthy and roping good. There’s always room for improvement, but I feel like we are getting closer to where we want to be.”
Other winners at the $533,215 rodeo were bareback rider Garrett Shadbolt (89.5 points on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s On Second Thought); steer wrestler Jace Melvin (4.2 seconds); saddle bronc rider Stetson Wright (90 points on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Ed Bishop); tie-down roper Riley Webb (7.2 seconds); barrel racer Jimmie Smith-Tew (14.83 seconds); and bull rider Bryce Burnell (91 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s White Trash).
Courtesy of PRCA