Kincade Henry Punches his Ticket to Reno (Nev.) Rodeo Finals
It has been a whirlwind of a month for tie-down roper Kincade Henry.
On June 17, Henry became one of the few cowboys to ever win back-to-back tie-down roping titles at the College National Finals Rodeo. Fast forward six days later and the Texas A&M University-Commerce cowboy was putting his skills on display in front of a sellout crowd at the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo.
Henry tied one down in 9.2 seconds on Friday night to be one of the 12 contestants to punch his ticket to Saturday night’s finals with 18.4 seconds on two head. He said coming off his national championship last weekend things hadn’t gone his way this week, but that all changed in Reno.
“I won that then I was skunked all week until I got here to Reno,” said Henry, 21. “Monty Lewis was walking around this morning telling everyone Happy New Year. I was like what do you mean?
“He said, ‘this is where the season really starts. It doesn’t matter what happened in the past.’ I’m not sitting great right now, but I’m always up for a challenge. The year has started now and I’m ready to rock ‘n’ roll.”
Six-time PRCA World Champion Bareback Rider Kaycee Feild shared a similar sentiment with the Mount Pleasant, Texas, tie-down roper before the rodeo. Henry said the advice from the veterans of the sport meant more to him than they know.
“Before I went and roped, I was struggling mentally. Kaycee Feild was parked by me in the parking lot, so I sat and talked to him for a while about leaving stuff in the past,” he said. “Then believing in yourself and having that confidence to go out and get the job done. I don’t think I’ve ever talked to Kaycee until this morning. To talk to him and Monty meant a lot. They are world champions and that’s my goal. So, it’s huge to talk to these guys and learn these things.”
Henry hopes that momentum will continue Saturday night when he ropes for the coveted Reno Rodeo Silver Spurs at 10 p.m. ET on The Cowboy Channel and the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App.
“I ran her a little further than I wanted to tonight, but you know it’s alright because I did enough to get myself back tomorrow,” Henry said. “Hopefully I can tie one fast in the short round and get some good money.”
Courtesy of PRCA