PRORODEO Sports News - March 21, 2025

grandmother loved. Perhaps just short of her love for Jesus was Meme’s love for watching her family compete in rodeo. And she had plenty of opportunities to do so. The Coopers have accumulated countless rodeo titles in their history in the sport. They’ve also qualified numerous times for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Presented by Teton Ridge. Cooper’s father is ProRodeo Hall of Famer Roy “Super Looper” Cooper. His uncle, Stran Smith, is a World Champion Tie-Down Roper. In 2010, he and his brothers, Clif and Clint, made history as the only set of three brothers to compete at the NFR in the same year. His sister, Shada, has also competed at NFR. Her husband, Trevor Brazile, is the winningest rodeo cowboy of all time. Even with all the accolades for Cooper and his family throughout the course of their time in PRORODEO, San Antonio now holds a special place in his heart. It was the first buckle he’s won there since 2022. But most importantly, he was able to honor his grandmother on one of the grandest stages. “For me and my family, that night, to win San Antonio was like winning the gold buckle,” Cooper said. “There were a lot of guys who were fast, but my grandma … sorry, guys. They never had a chance. It was mine to win that night.”

The family gathered to honor Judy Smith the day after her passing. From left : Shali Lord ( great niece ), Trevor Brazile ( grandson ), Shada Brazile ( granddaughter ), Clifton Smith ( husband ), Stran Smith ( son ), Stetson Vest ( grandson ), Tuf Cooper ( grandson ), Clif Cooper ( grandson ). ( Courtesy Cooper Family )

winning the tie-down roping title in San Antonio with a run of 7.2 seconds. He earned $15,252 as a result. But the buckle and honoring his grandmother – known to his family as “Meme” – just 24 hours after her passing was the ultimate prize. “Luckily for me on Saturday, I had my ‘Meme’ there helping me get through the run,” Cooper said. “The proudest moment was on Sunday when I got to bring that buckle back to my grandpa. We had it right there on Meme’s casket the entire service. Grandpa got to take the buckle home with him.”

Cooper’s nerves and grief over the loss of his grandmother had to quickly be put to the side. He led off the final round, setting the bar for other ropers. He said it was difficult to focus but was able to do so for a few seconds before the run began. Instincts took over, as well as what he described as the presence of God. Cooper’s grandmother’s love for Jesus was widely known among her friends and loved ones. It extended to her grandchildren and other family members, Cooper included. He wore Jesus on his collar during competition, something he says his

BARREL RACING Megan Mcleod-Sprague – $ 41,512 Kassie Mowry - $ 30,987 Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi - $ 30,464

TOP MONEY EARNER Stetson Wright, $ 37,662 ( bull riding and saddle bronc ) BAREBACK RIDING 1. Bradlee Miller, $ 22,584 2. Sage Allen, $ 21,817 3. Garret Shadholt, $ 11,817.50 STEER WRESTLING 1. Brandon Harrison, $ 19,979 2. Will Lummus, $ 17,857 3. Tyler Waguespack, $ 11,555

TOP SCORES

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Tuf Cooper, $ 22,080 2. Seth Hall, $ 19,958 3. Ty Harris, $ 11,554

BULL RIDING 1. Stetson Wright, $ 28,207 2. Tyler Bingham, $ 24,509.50 3. Wacey Schalla, $ 13,393

TEAM ROPING 1. Dustin Egusquiza / Levi Lord, $ 42,260 2. Clay Smith / Coleby Payne, $ 39,915 3. Nelson Wyatt / Jonathan Torres, $ 29,937

Stetson Wright. ( PRCA photo by PRCA. )

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