PRORODEO Sports News - August 9, 2024

DODGE CITY, KAN.

DODGE CITY ROUNDUP

Homecoming

Jess Pope grabs himself a rich victory in Kansas BY KENSIE DARST-TODD Special to ProRodeo Sports News J ess Pope has won his fair share of rodeos during his seven year ProRodeo career, including the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo three times. But a title at the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup in his own backyard had always evaded him. That’s not the case anymore. Pope went head-to-head with Frontier Rodeo’s Tip Off in the first round for an 85-point ride, which was enough to push him onto the finals. He then drew Championship Pro Rodeo’s Hooey Rocks, a horse he had a plan for after matching up with it on a few occasions. This time around it resulted in 91 points and the rodeo win. “I was a bit nervous – that’s a true eliminator horse that they take to the NFR every year,” said Pope, the 2022 PRCA World Champion. “I got on him in the short round two years ago and placed on him in the average. I knew it was dang sure a shot to win. I just had to go out and do my job and go through the fight of it.” Pope walked away earning $1,650 from the finals and an additional $3,163 for winning the average. The Waverly, (Kan.) native was eager to return to the arena where he has been riding since he competed in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association. “Dodge City was really special – I’ve got a lot of history with Dodge City from junior high rodeo and high school rodeo, little britches. It’s always a special week to get to come back and rodeo close to home,” Pope said. Pope is currently 20th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Although his rodeo season has not gone as planned, he anticipates ending the season in the Top 15. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I know I can ride good when I’ve got the good ones under me,” Pope said. “I try to ensure my chance of winning everywhere I go, trying to win money, and definitely trying to find myself in the Top 15 on Oct. 1.” Pope has faced a few setbacks this year since getting back to action after launching his season in late June. This win in his home state is setting him up for success for the remainder of the rodeo season. “I didn’t really rodeo much in May and June. I had to come out here pretty well starting the first of July, rodeoing really hard for the next 90 days,” Pope said. “The first 30 of those ninety days I won a lot of fourth, fifth, sixth place checks and it doesn’t add up very much, but I was placing a lot. So, this week really turned it around – I placed no worse than third at all the rodeos I went to, and it was definitely a big turnaround week.” Pope was able to grasp a special victory and experience it surrounded by good rodeo stock, good friends and family. “It’s really fun to be close to home,” Pope shared. “I had a lot of family and friends there and just be able to share that experience is pretty special.”

TOP MONEY EARNER Riley Webb TOP SCORES

($10,704, tie down roping) BAREBACK RIDING

Webb

1. Jess Pope .................... 176 pts. on 2 2. Rocker Steiner ......................... 172.5 3. Waylon Bourgeois ....................... 172 STEER WRESTLING 1. Will Lummus ............. 12.0 sec. on 3 2. Dakota Eldridge ......................... 13.3 3. Kalane Anders ............................ 13.6 TEAM ROPING 1. Rahlmann/Ashford ..... 18.5 sec. on 3 2. S. Carroll/J. Helton .................... 19.5 3. B. Crites/T. Worley ..................... 19.6 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Brody Cress .............. 173.5 pts. on 2 2. Isaac Diaz ................................... 170 3. Sterling Crawley .......................... 169 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Riley Webb ................ 25.5 sec. on 3 2. Ty Harris .................................... 27.2 3. Blane Cox .................................. 27.5 STEER ROPING 1. Tony Reina ................. 37.2 sec. on 3 2. Vin Fisher Jr. .............................. 39.1 3. Will Eddleman ............................ 41.7 BULL RIDING 1. Bubba Greig ........................... 90 pts. (Tie) Jate Frost ............................. 90 3. TJ Gray ...................................... 87.5

Complete results/Page 78

Robby Freeman photo

2022 PRCA World Champion Jess Pope and Championship Pro Rodeo’s Hooey Rocks combined for a 91-point ride to win the Dodge City Roundup.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/9/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 8/9/2024

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