Clay Smith Wins Steer Roping in Guymon
Clay Smith has nothing to prove as a team roping header – he’s the reigning two-time PRCA world champion.
He’s also proven he can steer rope with the top cowboys in the world.
Smith won the steer roping crown at the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo with a 53.0-second time on four head Thursday.
“I think that may be the first time I’ve won the average (at a PRCA) rodeo in steer roping,” said Smith, 29. “I drew good steers, that was the biggest deal, and I really just tried to do my job.”
Smith was 33rd in the Aug. 21 steer roping PRCA | RAM World Standings and should move up after earning $3,857 in Guymon.
Entering the weekend, Smith was second in the team roping world standings with $67,285. He was second in the all-around cowboy standings with $73,456 before Guymon. Tuf Cooper was leading the all-around standings with $81,145.
“I was going to try and go to more steer ropings this year, and then I didn’t with the way everything was,” Smith said. “It was hard to get motivated to go because I wasn’t really sure what the end result was going to look like. I really like the steer roping; it just makes it hard doing two events.”
During Guymon’s steer roping, Smith was riding Thumper, 16.
“I would like to thank High Roller Ranch and Ryan Mackey (in Center, Texas),” Smith said. “They bought the horse for me to steer rope on.”
Smith, an Oklahoma native, acknowledged winning Guymon was special.
“It was cool for me because this used to be my circuit, and Guymon was always a big deal,” said Smith, who resides in Bowie, Texas. “I think this was probably my third year to enter steer roping in Guymon, and it was cool to win. Everybody is going to the same rodeos now, and if you win something, you’re beating the toughest guys in the world. My horse worked well, I drew good steers and it worked out this time.”
Next on the steer roping schedule for Smith is the West Texas Fair & Rodeo in Abilene, Sept. 16 and the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo in Stephenville, Texas, Sept. 24.
Smith plans to continue to steer rope and is hoping to qualify for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping.
“I would love to make the steer roping finals,” he said. “I just have to keep working at it and get better at it. One of these days maybe when I’m not so busy team roping, I would really love to steer rope all the time, and making the steer roping finals would be cool.”
Courtesy of PRCA