Steer Roper Jess Tierney Wins in Odessa for Third-Straight Year

By: Tracy Renck

Make it a hat trick.

For the third year in a row, veteran steer roper Jess Tierney won the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas.

Tierney’s latest triumphant came on Sunday when he won the average with a 52.1-second time on four head.

“Thank God I have just got into a good batch of cattle there the last few years,” said Tierney, 41. “I have a good horse to ride, and I have some good friends supporting me and it has worked out.”

Tierney left Odessa with a $3,456 paycheck – and he was quick to credit his horse, Dr Pepper, 20, for his success.

“I bought (Dr Pepper) in August of 2020 and he has been the biggest key for me,” Tierney said. “He’s a great ride. He does everything good. He scores good, and he runs hard to cattle, and he gets in a good position. He’s always on the money for me, stopping where I can string that front leg and finish.”

The Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, concludes Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. (CT)

Tierney is an 11-time qualifier to the National Finals Steer Roping – 2011-16, 2019-23. A year ago, Tierney finished fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $127,914.

Up next for Tierney is competing at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo steer roping, which is taking place in Uvalde, Texas, at 9 a.m. (CT), Jan. 12. There’s a $100,000 purse up grabs.

“It is really nice being a part of any rodeo really, but to be a part of rodeo like San Antone and being able to run at that kind of money, that’s great,” Tierney said. “We really need opportunities as steer ropers to rope for big money and they give us that opportunity there and we really appreciate it.”

Courtesy of PRCA.