PRORODEO Sports News - July 12, 2024

PECOS, TEXAS

Just Ecstatic! WEST OF THE PECOS RODEO

Wilhite earns first ProRodeo win

BY KENSIE DARST-TODD Special to ProRodeo Sports News T he three necessary items for a tie-down roper to be successful in the arena are a good horse, reliable rope and a championship mindset. For Kyan Wilhite, all he needed was a Folger’s coffee can, an old rope and an aspiring dream to walk away twelve years later winning West of the Pecos (Texas) Rodeo. The 19-year-old cowboy from Clovis, N.M., is a first generation rodeo athlete who found his appreciation for rodeo in his grandfather’s shop. “I was out working with my grandpa one day when I was about seven years old. I found this old rope in the back of his shop and then I grabbed it and started to swing it – I had absolutely no idea and was probably swinging it backwards,” Wilhite shared. “I started trying to throw it at this old Folger’s coffee can. About five months went by, I got a dummy and more stuff, and then I went to Sylvester Mayfield’s house and started learning how to rope with Shad and Sylvester.” Wilhite’s investment into the sport paid off after winning the first round with 8.7 seconds and placing second in the second round with a 9.2-second run. Wilhite won the average with 17.9 seconds on two head, earning $3,706. This is Wilhite’s PRCA permit year, making this win one to remember. “This win means everything to me. It’s a lot different coming from roping with the 19-age group and to come rope with the guys who have made the NFR (National Finals Rodeo). “I’d say it’s a huge confidence boost that I’m capable of roping with them,” Wilhite said. Despite the excitement of his win, the pressure was intense and the stakes were high. Wilhite’s nerves were a constant companion throughout the day, reflecting on the weight of competing against seasoned professionals. “I was nervous all day after opening the slack,” Wilhite said. “I was thinking about it all day long and then sitting back there, I really just felt blessed to be able to rope with all those guys who I’ve watched on TV forever.” In 2023, Wilhite claimed the championship title at the National High School Finals (Wyo.) Rodeo. The win equipped him with the right tools to succeed going into his 2024 season. “Winning was just a cool experience. It actually helped me deal with pressure situations a lot better and gave me a lot more confidence in my roping ability,” Wilhite said. From competing at Coleman (Texas) PRCA Rodeo to Rodeo El Paso (Texas) and now entering Cowboy Christmas, Wilhite will remember his first win in ProRodeo at the West of the Pecos (Texas) Rodeo. “I knew I was in a great position to win it. The Pecos Rodeo stands were packed and once I got back on, I don’t think that I’ve ever been that happy in my life,” Wilhite said.

TOP MONEY EARNER TOP SCORES

Kyan Wilhite ($8,326, tie down roping) BAREBACK RIDING

Wilhite

1. Leighton Berry ...................... 87 pts. 2. Tilden Hooper ............................. 86 3. Jess Pope ................................ 85.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Tucker Allen ................ 9.4 sec. on 2 2. Bridger Anderson ....................... 9.8 3. Sam Powers ............................ 10.4 TEAM ROPING 1. R. Oldfield/Z. Pratt .... 15.2 sec. on 2 2. Q. Lopez/J. Cisneros ................ 15.9 (Tie) C. Tew/C. Tew .................. 15.9 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Jake Finlay ......................... 86.5 pts. (Tie) Sage Newman ................. 86.5 3. Tanner Butner ............................. 85 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Kyan Wilhite ............. 17.9 sec. on 2 2. Chet Weitz ............................... 20.1 3. Hunter Herrin ........................... 20.4 STEER ROPING 1. Reo Lohse ................ 40.6 sec. on 3 2. Cody Lee .................................. 42.8 3. Slade Wood ............................. 44.4 BULL RIDING 1. Josh Frost ............................. 90 pts. 2. Cooper James .......................... 86.5 (Tie) Creek Young .................... 86.5

Robby Freeman photo

Complete results/Page 97

Tie-down roper Kyan Wilhite, 19, won his first professional rodeo in Pecos, Texas, with 17.9 seconds on two head.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/12/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 7/12/2024

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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