PRORODEO Sports News - February 7, 2025

better than I thought he was going to be,” Brown said. “I looked back (and there wasn’t a penalty), so it was pretty good.” LUKE BROWN & TREY YATES SHOW PROMISE IN NEW PAIRING DEBUT T eam roping header Luke Brown and heeler Trey Yates boast a combined 18 National Finals Rodeo way at 4.4 seconds. The risk paid off. “I didn’t know if I got out of the barrier or not, and the steer was way

qualifications, but both wanted to reach a new level of success this season. At the end of last season, Brown and Yates discussed the possibility of teaming up for the 2025 campaign and discovered they were a perfect fit. The new duo clicked on all cylinders in their debut during the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, on the way to a top finish with a 4.2-sec ond run in the short round. Yates, a native of Pueblo, Colo., got emotional after the would-be win ning run in front of a fired-up crowd at the Denver Coliseum. “It’s a blessing to rope with some body who’s so prestigious in this game and to know that I control my own destiny,” Yates said. “I know he’s going to do his job, and it’s com pletely up to me. I’m just so blessed to rope with him. I’m blessed in so many ways that I don’t even know what to say.” Brown and Yates won the first round in their bracket and advanced to the semifinals at 12.3 seconds on two head. In the first semifinal, they finished second at 6.0 seconds to earn a spot in the field on championship Sunday. Brown and Yates backed into the box for the next to last run of the after noon and needed to take a chance to earn a pair of buckles, with Jake Smith and Douglas Rich leading the

Team roping header Luke Brown and heeler Trey Yates finish off a winning 4.2-second run at the Denver Coliseum. PRCA Photo by Ric Andersen

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