Cowboys Cash in Early for Solid 2021 Foundation
Ben Franklin once said, “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” But for ProRodeo athletes, a more fitting proverb could be “early to win, early to climb (the standings),” which could lead to a less stressful 2021 season, and considering how much of the sport is mental, that’s an advantage they can take to the bank.
The first month of ProRodeo action for the 2021 season featured 22 competitions worth a collective $1.65 million.
With one month of the 2021 regular season already in the books, here’s a look at the top three cowboys in each event and where they had their biggest win of the season.
Bareback Riding
• Tim Kent, $6,618 – Kent earned $6,068 at the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo in Harrington, Del., nearly matching his 2020 season total of $7,806.
• Jordan Pelton, $5,829 – All Pelton’s money was won with a clean sweep of all three rounds at the RAM Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo, more than doubling his 2020 season total of $2,461.
• Garrett Shadbolt, $5,696 – Nearly all of this was won with a clean sweep at the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. Shadbolt finished 20th in the world last season with $28,466.
Steer Wrestling
• Jacob Edler, $7,636 – Heading into his first Wrangler NFR in December, Edler has not slowed down. He won won both rounds to claim the average at the RAM PCFR for $5,898 and won $1,738 at the Waller County Fair & Rodeo in Hempstead, Texas.
• Tanner Brunner, $5,725 – Heading into his third consecutive Wrangler NFR, Brunner has kept spry by winning $4,003 at the RAM PCFR and $1,723 at the Heart O’ Texas Rodeo in Waco.
• John Leinaweaver, $4,458 – This multi-event cowboy from Pennsylvania has never won more than $10,000 for steer wrestling in a single season, but 2021 could break that trend after winning the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo and earning $4,458.
Team Roping Heading
• Cooper White, $5,632 – Cooper and his brother and partner, Tucker, won the RAM Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo and are one-third of the way to their 2020 season total of $15,023.
• Jake Clay, $5,056 – Partnered with Brye Crites, all of Clay’s 2021 earnings came from winning the RAM PCFR. That win was worth almost as much as his entire 2020 season earnings of $6,221.
• Tyler Wade, $4,644 – After narrowly missing what would have been his fourth NFR qualification by finishing 18th in 2020, Wade and Billie Jack Saebens won the Heart O’ Texas Rodeo in Waco for $4,644.
Team Roping Heeling
• Tucker White, $5,632 – Tucker and his brother and partner, Cooper, won the RAM Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo and are one-third of the way to their 2020 season total of $15,023.
• Joseph Harrison, $5,603 – The 2020 season leader for team roping heeling is keeping the pedal down in the new season. He placed second at the RAM PCFR with Bubba Buckaloo and picked up $1,176 in Hempstead with Wyatt Imus.
• Billie Jack Saebens, $5,065 – After finishing 16th in 2019 and 19th in 2020, Saebens is determined to score his third NFR qualification. He and longtime partner Tyler Wade won Waco.
Saddle Bronc Riding
• Chet Johnson, $5,936 – At 40 years old, this four-time NFR-qualifier won the RAM Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo and tied for second place in Hempstead.
• Tegan Smith, $5,897 – After finishing 21st in the 2020 world standings, a sweep at the RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo jump-started Smith’s season with $4,746.
• Cody DeMoss, $5,748 – Finishing on the bubble at 16th last season didn’t sit well with this 13-time NFR qualifier, so DeMoss hit the ground running this season, picking up $3,612 in Waco, $1,109 in Arcadia, Fla., and $893 in Denton.
Tie-down Roping
• Cooper Martin, $10,043 – Missing what would have been his fourth consecutive NFR added fuel to the fire for Martin. He kicked off 2021 by picking up checks at four ProRodeo competitions.
• Caleb Smidt, $9,130 – Smidt is heading into his seventh Wrangler NFR. He’s already working on his eighth qualification by winning money at every ProRodeo competition he’s entered during the 2021 season.
• Shad Mayfield, $7,874 – Mayfield got an early start on the 2020 season too, leading the pack with $14,925 at this point in the previous season largely thanks to winning $10,557 at the 2020 San Angelo (Texas) Roping Fiesta. He did well at San Angelo last month, but his biggest win for the new season came in Waco, $4,890.
Steer Roping
• Garrett Hale, $12,436 – Heading into his third consecutive NFSR, Hale’s won money nearly everywhere that hosted steer roping this season with his biggest haul coming from San Angelo, $5,542.
• Cole Patterson, $11,465 – Finishing at the top of the 2020 regular season world standings, Patterson’s continuing his hot streak with the new season, picking up checks nearly everywhere he’s gone. His biggest score came in San Angelo, $7,014.
• Tony Reina, $6,751 – With five NFSR qualifications, Reina knows what it takes to make the Finals. The Texas cowboy has picked up checks worth at least $1,000 at three ProRodeo events this season.
Bull Riding
• Dustin Boquet, $6,747 – Heading into his second NFR, Boquet is keeping hot. He split the win at the Harrison Roundup Club PRCA Xtreme Bulls to earn $4,035.
• Nathan Hatchel, $6,500 – Hatchel’s 2021 season earnings came from having a nearly perfect run at the RAM MSCFR.
• Clayton Sellars, $6,451 – Sellars is riding consistently going into his second NFR. He’s also placed in the top three at three competitions in the 2021 season.
Courtesy of PRCA