PRORODEO Sports News - July 12, 2024

NOTABLE

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

J.D. Yates Versatile roper qualified for NFR, NFSR total of 31 times BY TRACY RENCK

it isn’t a dream come true to get into that (ProRodeo Hall of Fame) is not telling the truth. “For me to be put in with the people who are in there is a pretty amazing honor.” In 1984, J.D. was a part of the only father-son-daughter trio compete at the NFR in one year. His dad, Dick also qualified in team roping, while sister Kelly qualified in barrel racing. J.D.’s late mother, Jan, was a rodeo secretary and timer. Traveling with his father, Dick, a brand inspector and PRCA roper, J.D. learned his way around feed lots, livestock and rodeo arenas. He was a team roping prodigy at age 14, which allowed him to compete at the highest level of ProRodeo a year later. J.D. also was a star in the Mountain States Circuit winning titles at the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo in all-around (1984, 1990, 1992, 1995), tie-down roping (1981 and 1992), team roping header (1984), team roping heeler, (1990) and steer roping (1988, 1990, 1996, 2007 and 2009). He also was the Mountain States year-end champion in all-around (1981-82, 1984, 1988-90, and 2011); team roping (1980-81, 1983-84, and 1987) and steer roping (1994, 1996, 1998, 2003 and 2009). “Wow. This is a heck of an honor,” J.D. said about his Hall of Fame induction.

J . D. Yates holds a PRCA record that will likely never be broken. He became the youngest cowboy to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo at 15 years, four months in 1975. J.D., a header, partnered with his father, Dick, at the ’75 NFR. The duo placed in five rounds, highlighted by winning Round 4 outright (6.6 seconds), Round 9 outright (6.2 seconds) and they split the Round 10 win in 6.6 seconds. That was sign of things to come for J.D. as he competed at the NFR in team roping as a heeler from 1975-1993 and as a header in 1996 and 2002. He also qualified for the National Finals Steer Roping in 1988-89, 1991, 1994, 1996-98, 2000, 2007, 2008 and 2010. Those accomplishments will put him into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as a notable on July 13. Although Yates’ father Dick obtained his PRCA permit in 1965, J.D. didn’t have any lofty goals when he started his PRCA career a decade later “When I started rodeoing, I didn’t wake up that morning and say, ‘I wanted to have a Hall of Fame of career,” said Yates, who lives in Pueblo, 45 minutes south of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “I was blessed to do what I got to do. Anybody who says

“I was blessed to do what I got to do. Anybody who says it isn’t a dream come true to get into that (ProRodeo Hall of Fame) is not telling the truth.” – J.D. YATES

ProRodeo Sports News 7/12/2024

ProRodeo.com

63