Contestants Looking for Big Win, WNFR Qualification at ProRodeo Tour Finale
As the regular season winds down, cowboys are headed to the ProRodeo Tour Finale at California Rodeo Salinas, Sept. 23-26 for one last shot at a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification.
Those in the top 24 of the ProRodeo Tour standings qualified for the ProRodeo Tour Finale. The ProRodeo Tour Finale will pay out $1 million to contestants and other PRCA members right before the PRCA regular season ends Sept. 30.
For contestants like bareback rider Trenten Montero, a big week in Salinas could mean punching a ticket to Vegas.
“I’m really excited for one more big rodeo before the end of the season,” Montero said. “Another chance to win a lot of money and move up in the standings before the end of the year.
“It would be awesome (to qualify for NFR). I’ve been pretty excited to go back ever since I went the first time (in 2019).”
Steer wrestler Kyle Irwin, a five-time NFR qualifier, is in a similar position. After missing out on a few big August rodeos, he sits 23rd in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. A win at the Tour Finale could put him in position for a sixth NFR.
“It’s wide open,” Irwin said. “I’m not in the Top 15, my predictions I’m still $12,000 to $15,000 back, and they told me I can win that in Salinas. So, I’m going to Salinas to try to win. I want to go there to win first because I have to have it to make the NFR.”
Heading into September, Irwin had won less than $30,000. He missed a week to travel home for his great uncle’s funeral, turning out at the Caldwell (Idaho) Night Rodeo and Gooding (Idaho) Pro Rodeo. Since then, it’s been a steady grind to put himself in a position where qualifying is a possibility.
Even as an underdog, Irwin said he likes where he’s sitting. Not only is he accustomed to the pressure, but he also enjoys it.
“I love it. I’ve been in a lot of high-pressure situations throughout my career,” Irwin said. “I’ve got three kids at home, and they add pressure to everything, so the pressure doesn’t bother me.
“I believe it’s going to be what it’s going to be, and so all I can do is the best I can. If I can walk out of the arena with my head held high, then I did all I could.”
To win big in Salinas, and qualify for the NFR, Montero and Irwin will need to go head-to-head with plenty of other cowboys with the same goal in mind. Montero hopes to put that out of mind.
“You can’t really think too much about the standings or what you’ve got to do, or anything,” Montero said. “Just ride every horse one jump at a time.”
Courtesy of PRCA