PRORODEO Sports News - August 5, 2026

TEAM ROPERS JAKE SMITH/NICKY NORTHCOTT TOP FIELD IN COLORADO SPRINGS themselves matched up at the NFR Open and won the championship round with a 4.3-second run. “We’ve roped a lot before. I’ve

T eam roping header Jake Smith and heeler Nicky Northcott don’t typically pair up during the regular season. But the duo worked well to gether at the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo presented by John Deere. Smith, the No. 2 header in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Stand ings, has roped with Douglas Rich all season. And Northcott, the No. 5 heeler, has teamed up with Tyler Tryan throughout the year. But Smith and Northcott found

placed third in the first round with a 5.5-second run to net $1,500 each, and third in Round 2 with a 6.0-sec ond run to add another $1,500. Smith was all smiles after edging out Garrett Tonozzi/Trey Yates’ 4.6-second run in the finals. “Man, it’s great. This is a great ro deo,” said Smith, a two-time Wran gler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “The fans and payout are amazing. It’s always nice to do good any time. We’re excited.” The win at the NFR Open helped

roped with him as a second partner,” Northcott said. “I’ve hung out with him and known him since I was a lit tle kid and he came to my house one time. We’ve been around each other enough, and it seems to work.” Smith/Northcott qualified for the short round as the third-place finisher in Pool B with an 11.5-sec ond average time on two head. They

10 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE August 5, 2026