2023 PRCA Media Guide - All Chapters

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Smidt Makes it Four World Championships

The way he lives his life, the way he follows his faith, the way he commits to his craft, Caleb Smidt defines the modern cowboy. He talks with striking gratitude. But don’t misin terpret his humility as weakness. Put Smidt on a horse, and he dominates in breathtaking fashion. Smidt, 33, captured his fourth PRCA World Championship in tie-down roping, adding to his titles in 2015, 2018 and 2021. His first back-to-back gold buckles came with an eye-opening time of 82.5 seconds on 10 head. “It’s unbelievable. Just what I have accom plished is beyond my imagination. My belief in God and the horse I have and my family pushed me to be better every day. It’s a tough sport to even do this. It’s an unbelievable blessing to do this,” Smidt said. “And to have the success I have had and great friends I rope against every day who encourage me to be who I am, it’s amazing. I am happy for my family. They supported me all week. I do it for them, for the fans and I give all the glory to the God.” Smidt is all cowboy. He has worked cattle, developed the calluses of the western lifestyle. He could easily be a rancher, but he’s a roper. And no one is doing it better.

Smidt turned Thomas & Mack Center into his own personal diary of success. He finished the season with $374,737 in earnings, including $225,221 at the NFR. Smidt was like a shark, wasting no movement as he advanced through each night in front of the big crowds. The veteran posted times of 7.50 and 7.20 his first two rounds, his best of the event, putting the competition on notice. For the elite, separation is often in the prepara tion. For Smidt, it is the combination. No one has a horse like Pockets. Smidt bought Pockets in 2015. All four of his crowns have come aboard Pockets, a 15-year-old horse known for giving a rider a chance every round because of his predictability. “When I am back in there, and I know it’s all on me to win something, it’s pretty easy. I don’t have to worry about my horse. A lot of guys this week were switching horses to try to find something that works. When I ride on him, I know I have a chance. When you have a horse that does the exact same thing every time it gives you a chance. He’s going to do his job,”Smidt said.“I don’t even think I would have a gold buckle without him. That’s how good he is. The consistency he gives me every time I nod my head, it’s unbelievable.” – Brady Renck

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Phil Doyle

Tie-down roper Caleb Smidt, riding, his award-winning horse, Pockets, captured his fourth world championship in December.

30

2023 WORLD CHAMPIONS