News & Notes from the Rodeo Trail, February 16
Reigning world champion tie-down roper Shad Mayfield is coming off a drama-filled 2020 season which concluded with his first world title at age 20. He’ll share some of his favorite rodeo memories with ProRodeo fans at 8 p.m. (MT), Feb. 17, when he takes over the PRCA’s Instagram Live (@prca_prorodeo). To interact with Mayfield and ask him questions, join in Wednesday on the PRCA’s Instagram page.
The ProRodeo Tour Finale will play a bigger role than ever before when it pays out $500,000 on the final weekend of the season. The Tour Finale will move to California Rodeo Salinas, Sept. 23-26 for the 2021 season and will crown the ProRodeo Tour champions. The half-million-dollar payout on the season’s final weekend will play a pivotal role in catapulting athletes into the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “This is what the ProRodeo Tour Finale is all about,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “Not only will these talented athletes be crowned Tour champions, but a number of competitors will also book their trips to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.” The Top 24 competitors in each event in the ProRodeo Tour Standings advance to the Tour Finale and will compete for their share of $500,000.
Garrett Nokes, the head rodeo coach for Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, Neb., passed away Feb. 14. Nokes was released from the hospital earlier this weekend after sustaining a head injury from a horse at his home after rodeo practice on the evening of Jan. 28. “Garrett’s strong work ethic was second to none. He led by example and held high expectations for his student-athletes to do the same. Garrett will be missed, but the impact he had on people both inside and outside of the rodeo arena will live on through them forever,” said Mid-Plains Community College president Ryan Purdy. Nokes qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in steer wrestling in 2005 and finished fourth in the world standings with $127,775.
Courtesy of PRCA