Marty Yates Tops Tie-Down Ropers in Sikeston
By Mike Donnell
SIKESTON, Mo. – While Garth Brooks sang that one reason rodeo cowboys are addicted to the sport is “The Roar of the Sunday Crowd,” tie-down ropers are often willing to settle for winning rodeos during the quiet of slack.
That’s exactly what happened for Marty Yates.
On Aug. 5, the 25-year-old posted his two runs in 16.6 seconds during slack at the Sikeston (Mo.) Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, earning him first place and $4,662 despite the fact that the rodeo had five more slack sessions and three full performances before ending Saturday night.
Yates placed fourth in the first round in 8.6 seconds to win $1,020 and tied for third in the second round in 8.0 seconds to earn $1,129. He added $2,513 for winning the average.
The Stephenville, Texas, cowboy won the event riding Big Time, his 12-year-old gelding.
“He is actually my backup horse, but he’s been performing great all summer,” Yates said. “He’s the horse I won The American on.”
The five-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier noted that “all you can do after you run slack is wait to see if anyone coming later can beat you. Nowadays anyone who can enter a rodeo can beat you.”
When Sikeston concluded, Yates was in Hermiston, Ore., for the Farm-City Pro Rodeo, where he ran slack on Saturday morning and was about to run in the full performance. His plans for the next few weeks are to win as much as he can and add to his career earnings, which are nearing $1 million.
Other winners at the $160,312 rodeo included all-around cowboy Tim Phaff ($1,446, tie-down roping and team roping); bareback rider Jake Brown (92 points on the Cervi Brothers’ Gander Goose); steer wrestler Riley Duvall (8.4 seconds on two head); team ropers Dustin Egusquiza/Jake Long (10.9 seconds on two head); saddle bronc rider Brody Cress (86 points on JC Kitaif Pro Rodeos’ Lucky); barrel racer Jessica Routier (16.02 seconds); and bull riders Koby Radley (87.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeos’ Big Ticket) and Garret Tribble (87.5 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Rank & File).
Courtesy of PRCA