PRORODEO Sports News | January 24, 2025

ODESSA, TEXAS

Tucker Carricato earns big win One for One BY KENSIE DARST-TODD Special to ProRodeo Sports News F or any rodeo athlete, stepping into the arena brings immediate pressure, with the ultimate goal of securing a championship title. Tucker Carricato of Saratoga, Wyo., got SANDHILLS STOCK SHOW & RODEO

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Shad Mayfield ($6,924, tie down roping) BAREBACK RIDING

his 2025 PRORODEO season pointed in the right direction with an impressive 86-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Smoke Bomb at the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas. His performance earned him $3,347 during the event’s sixth performance. “This win means a lot,” Carricato, 19, said. “It’s my first rodeo of the season, and starting with a good result makes it easier to stay confident moving forward. It shows me I can compete at this level.” Carricato, currently competing on his permit for a second season, has been immersed in rodeo from an early age, inspired by his father, who also rodeoed throughout his life. “My dad got me started and I’ve been around rodeo all my life,” Carricato said. Carricato took a short break over the holidays before returning back to the fierce competition in Odessa with a renewed focus. “I just finished all the college rodeos, went home for Christmas, and took some time to reset and think about the season,” Carricato said. “Going into Odessa, I didn’t know much about the horse, so I just went with it. I’m happy with how it turned out.” Carricato has also been successful on the college rodeo circuit, representing Tarleton State University. In the fall, he won the Cooks (Texas) College Shootout and had strong finishes at other events. “It went well for me and my traveling partners. The experience helped me prepare for this season,” he said. Looking ahead, Carricato has set ambitious goals for 2025. He aims to compete in more PRORODEO events and increase his earnings while continuing to enjoy the process. “Last year was my first time pro rodeoing, and I didn’t get to go as much as I wanted,” Carricato said.” This year, I’m trying to attend more events and keep improving while trying to have fun with it.” Carricato looks forward for the rest of the season, which leads him to the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, where he hopes to build on his early-season success. “I try to stay positive and focus on getting better every day,” Carricato said. “My goal is to make it to the big show someday.” With a strong start to the season and a determined mindset, Carricato is making strides toward becoming a standout in the rodeo world.

Mayfield

1. Tucker Carricato ..................... 86 pts. 2. Myles Carlson ............................... 83 3. Bradlee Miller ............................ 82.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Riley Duvall ................... 7.8 sec. on 2 2. Riley Westhaver ........................... 8.2 3. Jason Thomas ............................. 8.3 TEAM ROPING 1. L. Aguilera/W. Cox ........ 9.0 sec. on 2 2. K. Thompson/J. Helton ................ 9.6 3. C. Smith/C. Payne ........................ 9.7 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Statler Wright ..................... 88.5 pts. 2. Jacobs Crawley .......................... 85.5 3. Mitch Pollock ............................. 84.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shad Mayfield ............. 17.1 sec. on 2 2. Brey Yore ................................... 18.4 3. Tom Crouse ............................... 18.6 STEER ROPING 1. Cody Lee ..................... 50.2 sec. on 4 2. Tyler Waters ............................... 51.8 3. J. Tom Fisher ............................. 52.8 BULL RIDING 1. Vinell Mariano ........................ 86 pts. 2. Colten Fritzlan ............................ 81.5 3. Cutter Kaylor ................................. 80 (Tie) Kobe Whitford ...................... 80

Complete results/Page 46

Robby Freeman photo

Bareback rider Tucker Carricator put together an 86-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Smoke Bomb to win the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/24/2025

ProRodeo Sports News 1/24/2025

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