PRORODEO Sports News - July 12, 2024

CODY STAMPEDE CODY, WYO.

After injury, Lawrence nets huge win, payday BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News J eter Lawrence jumped out of the vehicle and quickly made his way through the crowd to the roughstock ready area at Stampede Park in Cody, Wyo. The bulls were being pushed into the alley before loading in the chutes, but a roping event was still unfolding inside the arena, allowing the Council Hill, Okla., cowboy a moment to collect himself. Lawrence knew nothing about Frontier Rodeo’s Bridewater but he scanned the animals as they stood in line, waiting to move forward. “I was actually in Red Lodge earlier that day and we just got there. They were doing some roping event, so I had a little bit of time, but he was the first bull I saw when I got there in the lane, and I just knew that was me. I felt like he was pretty good,” Lawrence said. The Resistol Rookie’s initial instinct turned out to be right as the matchup at the Cody Stampede produced an 87.5-point score, carrying Lawrence to the biggest one-ride victory of his young rodeo career. The outcome in Cody yielded a $10,154 payday on its own. When coupled with a runner-up finish at the Western Stampede in West Jordan, Utah, and efforts at the Greeley (Colo.) Stampede and the Daniel Dopps Memorial RAM PRCA Rodeo in Mountain Home, Idaho, Lawrence finished the Cowboy Christmas slate with more than $20,000 in earnings. The victory was much needed for a variety of reasons. Lawrence is just outside a qualifying spot for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, sitting 17th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with a little more than $68,000 in earnings this season. More than that, the moment was a shot of confidence for the up-and-coming rider as he navigates his way back into the arena. Following a fourth-place finish at the Ada (Okla.) Pro Rodeo in late March, Lawrence took a month off due to injury. In a short span of time, he had taken some hard knocks dismounting, resulting in several falls that left him unconscious. After a fast start to the season, Lawrence worried he might lose some momentum with the pause. Instead, he’s continued to roll, picking up where he left off. “It started out great, but then I got a little banged up and had to take some time off,” Lawrence said. “I had a little rough spell, but I feel like it’s going back good now. I feel like I’m back on track.” With a renewed mentality and some significant prize money in his ledger, Lawrence is aiming to stay on track and finish the comeback. He’s second in the Resistol Rookie of the Year bull riding race right now, just a few thousand dollars back of Cooper James and on the cusp of being an NFR qualifier on his first try. The Fourth of July run certainly has him believing he can finish what he’s started. “My confidence is pretty good, I think. I’ve just got to keep going, that’s about it.” he said.

TOP MONEY EARNER TOP SCORES

Grooving

Jeter Lawrence ($10,011, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Lawrence

1. Bronc Marriott ..................... 91.5 pts. 2. Kade Sonnier ................................. 89 3. Nick Pelke ...................................... 86 STEER WRESTLING 1. Cash Robb ............................ 3.7 sec. 2. Trell Etbauer ................................. 4.5 3. Dakota Eldridge ............................ 4.8 (Tie) Chance Howard ........................ 4.8 TEAM ROPING 1. K. Thompson/C. Freeman ..... 4.2 sec. 2. J. Smith/D. Rich ........................... 4.3 3. L. Brown/T. Graves ....................... 4.4 (Tie) R. Kittle/W. Woodfin ................. 4.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Chase Brooks ...................... 89.5 pts. 2. Wyatt Casper ................................. 89 3. Ryder Wright ................................. 87 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Chance Thiessen .................. 7.7 sec. 2. Kincade Henry .............................. 7.9 3. Jake Pratt ..................................... 8.1 BARREL RACING 1. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi ....... 16.95 sec. 2. Hailey Kinsel ............................. 17.06 3. Andrea Busby ........................... 17.14 BULL RIDING 1. Jeter Lawrence .................... 87.5 pts. 2. Josh Frost .................................. 85.5 3. Parker Breding ............................... 85

Complete results/Page 105

Hailey Rae photo Jeter Lawrence wouldn’t be denied in Cody, Wyo. The young bull rider secured the win with an 87.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Bridewater. COWBOY CHRISTMAS

ProRodeo Sports News 7/12/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 7/12/2024

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