2020 Media Guide - World Champions

Tie-down Roping

Meged wins gold in season debut

A tight race in tie-down roping at the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo saw rookie Haven Meged emerge with the gold buckle after finishing the season with $246,013. Meged tacked on the average title for good measure with an 85.7-second time on 10 head. The 21-year-old narrowly defeated Shane Hanchey, the 2013 tie-down roping world cham- pion, by less than $1,200 for the world champi- onship. Hanchey needed to win the final round outright with a time of 7.0 seconds or quicker to capture his second gold buckle. Hanchey stopped the clock at 7.1, splitting the win with Adam Gray and placing second in the world with $244,832. “It’s been close, and hats off to (Tyson) Durfey (who finished third) and everybody here,” Meged

said.“Everyone has ropedwell, and it’s been a tough deal.You’ve got theTop 15, the best of the best, here every night battling it out and I’m just fortunate to come out on top.” Meged, the 2019 PRCA | Resistol Tie-down Roping Rookie of the Year, is the first rookie to win a tie-down roping world title since Joe Beaver did it in 1985. “It’s a dream come true to win Rookie of theYear, the average saddle and this (a gold buckle),”he said. The Miles City, Mont., cowboy was competing on an injured ankle after a bad sprain three weeks before the Finals. Meged received shots and physical therapy to improve before Round 1. “I couldn’t walk for four days after I hurt my

ankle,” he said. “I had to have faith in God that it would be alright, and this is his plan.” The 2019 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo champion was quick to credit his parents and longtime friend Brett Fleming for his success. Meged competed on Fleming’s horse, Beyonce, whomhe purchased off Facebook. “I couldn’t have done it without my parents,”he said.“They’re always willing to help me wherever and whenever, and without them I’d never be anywhere in life. “Brett Fleming has helped me since Day 1, sendingme all my prac- tice and roping videos since I was in eighth grade. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without my family, sponsors andmy horse. It’s just a big deal to have that support system, always there to pick you up, cheer you on – it’s unbelievable.” After collecting $126,135 at the Finals, Meged plans to put it toward his future. “I’ve spent a lot of money on calves this year,” he said. “I’m just going to takemymoney and invest it and get ready for next year.” –Amber Baillie

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Dan Hubbell

Rookie HavenMeged earned his first gold buckle after winning the average with 85.7 seconds on 10 head at the 2019Wrangler NFR.

8

2019 WORLD CHAMPIONS