PRORODEO Sports News - August 23, 2024

GOODING, IDAHO

GOODING PRO RODEO

Payden McIntyre dialed in on strong finish after big victory Focused TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER

BY KENSIE DARST-TODD, Special to ProRodeo Sports News A s the 2024 rodeo season nears the end, Payden McIntyre isn’t just thinking about the next rodeo, he is looking beyond into next year’s season. With his sights set on 2025, McIntyre is crafting a comeback story, forged from a season of setbacks and guided by his belief of better days ahead. The steer wrestler from Douglas, Wyo., earned a key victory at the Gooding (Idaho) Pro Rodeo, Aug. 15-17, with a 3.4-second run, earning $4,175. “We were in slack that night, so there were still a couple perfs to go after,” McIntyre said. “I watched Jesse Brown run that steer before me in the rodeo, so I knew what he was and knew that we had a pretty decent chance.” McIntyre’s run was one of his personal bests. Coming close to his recent third-place finish at the Missoula (Mont.) Stampede with a time of 3.6 seconds. Reflecting on the moment that he entered the box to walking away with this win, McIntyre continues to stay grounded in his performance. “I’ve been three a few other times, but I don’t really care so much about how fast I am as long as I win first,” he said. McIntyre had a slow start to the beginning of this season, finding himself rusty and out of rhythm. Like any great rodeo athlete, he adapted and persevered where things are now starting to look up for the seasoned cowboy. “It’s been pretty slow, and I was a little rusty when we started. I feel like now in the last month or so, things are kind of starting to come together – hopefully I can finish the season off strong and set myself up good for next year,” McIntyre shared. What drives McIntyre isn’t the promise of personal success. It’s the community around him – his traveling partners, the camaraderie, and the shared dreams. “I spend time around people who have the same dreams and goals that I have because there’s four of us traveling together and not everyone is going to win first every time. If one of us does good, that kind of helps the other guys get you through the tough times,” McIntyre said. Beyond the area, McIntyre is also committed to the future of the sport. Helping coach for the rodeo team at the University of Wyoming, he’s found new motivation through the energy of his young athletes. “I’ve been rejuvenated since helping coach down at the University of Wyoming,” McIntyre said. “They’ve got some young bulldoggers down there who are kind of how I was when I was 20 years old and super excited about it – that kind of energy really helps to motivate a guy.” Though McIntyre has yet to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo, he remains unfazed, his eyes fixed on the future. “It’s kind of the end of the season – it’s the fourth quarter, so anything you can do now is going to help set us up for next year,” McIntyre said. “I’m far away from making the Finals, so my goal is just to try and win first everywhere I go and when I get a chance like that, I try to maximize the opportunity.” McIntyre has only 15 rodeos left to compete at but looks ahead down the road for the 2025 rodeo season. “At the end of this season, I would like to just have myself in this

Damian Brennan ($6,148, saddle bronc riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Brennan

1. Cole Reiner ............................ 91 pts. 2. Ethan Mazurenko .......................... 89 3. Keenan Hayes ............................ 88.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Payden McIntyre .................. 3.4 sec. 2. Clayton Hass ................................ 3.5 (Tie) Cash Robb ........................... 3.5 TEAM ROPING 1. T. Tomlinson/P. Smith .......... 4.5 sec. 2. Four teams tied at ........................ 4.6 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Damian Brennan .................... 89 pts. 2. Cash Wilson .................................. 88 3. Zachary Dallas ........................... 87.5 (Tie) Jake Finlay ......................... 87.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Hunter Herrin ....................... 7.5 sec. 2. Chisum Allen ............................... 8.2 3. Haven Meged ............................... 8.3 BARREL RACING 1. Kassie Mowry .................. 16.76 sec. 2. Jordon Briggs .......................... 16.79 (Tie) Carlee Otero .................... 16.79 BULL RIDING 1. T.J. Gray ................................ 90 pts. 2. Jeter Lawrence ............................. 87 (Tie) Hayes Weight ....................... 87

Complete results/Page 78

position where I can get into most of the rodeos next year,” he said. “I’d like to end the season strong, win a bunch of good money for the next few weeks, and then have some confidence going into next year, so I can hit the floor running.”

Stu Hagen photo

Payden McIntyre, shown competing in Clovis, Calif., won the Gooding (Idaho) Pro Rodeo after clocking a 3.4-second run.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/23/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 8/23/2024

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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