PRORODEO Sports News - November 22, 2024

TEAM ROPING HEADER Back on Top Egusquiza returns to 2024 TEAM ROPING HEADER STANDINGS

1. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla. ............ $201,008 2. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas ......................... 191,738 3. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga. ....................177,361 4. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. ................... 155,790 5. Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla. .................. 143,146 6. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla. ................... 136,581 7. Jake Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. ................. 129,366 8. J.C. Yeahquo, Mandaree, N.D. .................. 126,296 9. Brenten Hall, Jay, Okla. ..............................125,663 10. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C. .....................117,418 11. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. ............... 113,083 12. Cyle Denison, Iowa, La. .......................... 108,812 13. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. ............ 108,313 14. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif. ................. 108,269 15. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz. ............ 105,069

NFR in the No. 1 spot BY TANNER BARTH D ustin Egusquiza knows what it’s like to go into Las Vegas No. 1 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. In 2021, he was the top team roping header in regular-season earnings with his partner Travis Graves. That year he entered the Thomas & Mack Center with $147,516. He blew that number out of the water in 2024. The Marianna, Fla., cowboy teamed up with heeler Levi Lord to sit atop the standings in their respective events when the PRORODEO regular season ended on Sept. 30. The duo finished the season with $201,008 each, the second highest money total during a regular season in the history of the sport. The team had a strong

FROM THE CHAMP

“For me it was just really special to do it. I never really thought I’d win the world. I tried not to base my roping abilities on those 10 days in Vegas with so much money

QUOTABLE “I’m going to try and not think about it too much (going in No. 1). I think if you overthink it that will be some extra added pressure,” – Dustin Egusquiza

up for grabs. But lucky enough for Wesley and me after those 10 rounds we were sitting at the top. When we are both at our bests there’s not much you have to change.” – Tyler Wade Wade

Team roping header Dustin Egusquiza will return to the Wrangler National Finals

finish to their 2024 campaign. They picked up wins at both the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up and the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo in September. It was a month to remember. “Winning Pendleton has to be No. 1 on my win list for this season,” said Egusquiza, 29. “I’ve won San Antonio twice and it pays more than Pendleton, but that rodeo and Cheyenne have been on my bucket list for I don’t know how long. So, to get that win this year was awesome. I will remember that day for the rest of my life.” The win in Oregon was just one of their 17 victories as a team this season, which nearly double up their win total from a year ago.

They will now try to carry that momentum into Las Vegas for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Egusquiza finished a career best third in the world the last time he entered the NFR as the season leader. “I’m going to try and not think about it too much (going in No. 1). I think if you overthink it that will be some extra added pressure,” Egusquiza said. “So, I’m not going to put too much thought into it this year and just treat it just like another normal rodeo.

They have a run that works and now it’s about finding consistency and letting the chips fall where they may in Las Vegas. The mental side of the game is just as important as the preparation leading up to it. “Our goal going out there is to make our run, have fun, and try to catch all 10 steers,” Egusquiza said. “If you overthink it going into the rodeo it can snowball on you if you don’t have success those first couple nights. A clear head mentally is one of the biggest keys while you’re in Vegas.”

Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge as the season leader as he aims for his first career gold buckle. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

ProRodeo.com

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