PRORODEO Sports News - August 23, 2024

LOVINGTON, N.M.

LEA COUNTY PRCA RODEO

Hass continues NFR climb with victory On the Move

BY BRADY RENCK Special to ProRodeo Sports News T here are so many mile markers for a cowboy on his journey to the professional circuit. Many begin their craft around the age 7 or 8, whether that is whirling a rope or riding a sheep. That passion manifests into high school competition, perhaps even college, then the big jump comes when purchasing a PRCA card. Those dots connect. The path makes sense. But sometimes it just comes down to this. “I love to compete. It’s that simple,” said steer wrestler Clayton Hass of what led him to rodeo. “I like to travel, but that’s not nearly as enjoyable when leaving my family. But the competitive side is what makes it really fun.” Hass has been rolling up his sleeves and putting in the work on the road since 2005. That’s two decades of putting miles on the rigs, and bruises on the body. But the steer wrestler began this year with a goal to return to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and it remains firmly in sight after his big victory at Lea County PRCA Rodeo in Lovington, N.M. Hass claimed the title by clocking 7.6 seconds on two head for his fourth win of the season. It moved him to 18th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with the Top 15 qualifying for the sport’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas. He is roughly $3,000 shy of the 15th position with a packed rodeo schedule over the next two months. It could become a photo finish. “I mean that’s why we started the year, to get to the NFR. And I have given myself an opportunity,” Hass said. “Now, I have to go and do my job.” There are no intricate secrets to his success after placing 28th in the standings in 2022 and 32nd in 2023. No major adjustments. Just the opposite in fact. “It’s just to stop thinking so much,” Hass said. “I don’t need to overthink it and just go out there and do it.” The mindset is paying dividends. Before Lovington, Hass had posted wins in Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo, and the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo in his home state of Texas. It is admittedly becoming more challenging to head out to rodeos with his kids – Addy, Elizabeth and Mac – growing up fast. His daughters are heavily involved in horse jumping with Hass’ wife Alex. And Mac is starting to develop a love for roping. He’s 7, the same age that Clayton began to dabble in rodeo. “Yeah, my little boy is roping and he’s starting to get pretty good. And the girls are on the jumpers. I don’t really coach them, but I can get on one,” Hass said. “It dang sure makes me want to spend more time at home, but they have been able to come out with me on the road some, so that helps.”

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Wacey Schalla ($9,755, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Schalla

1. Weston Timberman ............ 89.5 pts. 2. Leighton Berry .............................. 88 3. Garrett Shadbolt ........................ 87.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Clayton Hass ................. 7.6 sec. on 2 2. Chance Howard ........................... 8.2 3. Three tied at ................................. 8.5 TEAM ROPING 1. W. Bray/P. Bray ............. 9.9 sec. on 2 2. C. Smith/C. Payne ...................... 10.3 3. C. Rahlmann/R. Ashford ............ 10.6 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Brody Cress ........................... 89 pts. 2. Lefty Holman ................................ 87 (Tie) Bailey Small .......................... 87 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Trevor Hale ................. 18.5 sec. on 2 2. Kincade Henry ........................... 19.3 3. Marcos Costa ............................. 19.5 STEER ROPING 1. Will Eddleman ............. 45.7 sec. on 3 2. Thomas Smith ........................... 48.1 3. Jason Burson ............................ 49.2 BULL RIDING 1. Wacey Schalla .................... 89.5 pts. 2. Brad Moreno ................................. 87 3. Avery Mullins ............................. 85.5 (Tie) Wade Tuni ......................... 85.5

Complete results/Page 65

Peggy Gander photo Veteran steer wrestler Clayton Hass clocked 7.6 seconds on two head to win the average at the Lea County PRCA Rodeo. Hass earned $7,629 at the PRCA Playoff Series stop.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/23/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 8/23/2024

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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