Jeff Askey Capitalizes in Waco in Route to RAM Texas Circuit Finals Title
There’s just one word that Jeff Askey throws out there when talking about his recent success: capitalize.
12 months removed from finishing the 2021 regular season ranked 16th—just one spot away from qualifying to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge—Askey has been rock solid.
The Athens, Texas, bull rider finished the regular season two weeks ago sitting third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and headed to his fifth Wrangler NFR.
Then, he rolled into the Extraco Coliseum for the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo, hosted by the Heart O’Texas Fair and Rodeo in Waco, October 11-14. Askey was nearly perfect en route to a repeat victory, winning two rounds and finishing with 252.5 points on three bulls. He was the only cowboy to ride three out of four during the week.
“I won this rodeo in 2019 and last year,” Askey, 34, said. “They always bring a bunch of really good bulls. We have some of the best stock contractors in the whole country and they really bring stock that shows out and shines for our circuit finals.
“It’s great little deal to come here. You’re going to get on something good usually.”
In Waco, Askey won the second and fourth rounds with scores of 87.5 and 87 points, respectively. He got on two bulls a night in the first and third rounds thanks to re-ride chances; the first-round bull kicked through the back of the chutes while the third-round bull flipped over on him and smashed him in the chutes.
“My bull memory is like, one bull long,” Askey joked. For the round wins, he rode Rafter G’s Meglomaniac in round two and Mousetrap from Stace Smith ProRodeo’s in the final round.
“Meglomaniac is a good bull from Rafter G that is going to the NFR,” Askey said. “He fit me really good. And tonight, that was a really nice bull from Scott Burris, he was a fun bull to have.”
After just missing out on the Finals last year, Askey came back determined to capitalize on good opportunities.
“That was the second time I have finished 16th,” he noted ironically. “Last time, I came back and capitalized better and had a good year too.
“You can go home and pout or regroup and do better. Have more fun.”
Askey noted a big part of his season came on the heels of drawing good bulls.
“I drew good all year, especially at the bigger rodeos,” he said. “You can draw good at little rodeos and make an awesome ride and win like $2,000. But this year it seemed like I always had the right bulls at the right rodeos.”
Askey won $183,996 during the regular season. Thanks to his work in Waco, he’s already banked $12,169 toward 2023. He is definitely a fan of competing in ProRodeo’s circuit system.
“Last year, I won a substantial amount out of the circuit finals and then went to Colorado Springs (for the NFR Open) and won like $17- or $19,000 more” he said. “It’s a good opportunity to capitalize for a substantial amount of money.”
Other winners at the $266,384 rodeo were all-around cowboy Chet Weitz ($997 in tie-down roping and team roping); bareback rider Zach Hibler (331 points on four head); steer wrestler Gavin Soileau (17.4 seconds on four head); team ropers Nelson Wyatt and Tyler Worley (19.7 seconds on four head); saddle bronc rider Parker Fleet (253 points on three head); tie-down roper Michael Otero (36.3 seconds on four head); barrel racer Ilyssa Riley (62.85 seconds on four runs); breakaway roper Madison Outhier (11.1 seconds on four head); and steer roper Cody Lee (53.0 seconds on four head).
Courtesy of PRCA