PRORODEO Sports News | Roy Cooper 1955-2025 | May 2, 2025

mistake. We got through it, and it just felt really good." Although the ride took its toll physically, French stayed focused heading into the Shoot-Out Round. He drew Pickett Pro Rodeo's Scarlet Belle, an NFR horse known for big performances. "I was a little tired after getting on Pink Smoke, but I was just super excited," French said. "Scar let Belle was going to be a lot of fun. I knew all I had to do was go out there and do my job one more time." French did exactly that, delivering an 84-point ride to clinch the championship. The victory was more than a buckle, it was a moment of reflection on the journey that brought him here. "It's a huge blessing," French said. "It's really cool to see some of the hard work pay off. I'm just super blessed to have the opportunity, draw great horses, and be surrounded by so much support and love." After spending the past few years balancing school and rodeo, French was ready to leave his permit behind and jump into a full-time PRO RODEO schedule, leading him to go out for his rookie year. "I was tired of being on my permit while getting through school," he said. "Now I'm ready to go out there and throw my hat in." French's roots run deep in the sport as a fourth-generation bareback rider. His father raised bucking horses and was a bareback rider, passing down the tradition and work ethic that fuel Gavin today. With goals like competing at Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Calgary Stampede on his radar, French is eager for what's next. "Just getting to go up against the top guys, getting to know them better, and making a name for myself - that's what I'm excited about," French said.

Other winners at the Resistol Rookie Roundup were steer wrestler Trace Harris (4.1 seconds); team ropers Gabe Williams/Faron Candelaria (4.4 seconds); saddle bronc rider Ira Dickinson (83 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Exotic Dancer); tie-down roper Blayne Saine (8.4 seconds); barrel racer Emma Parr (13.08 seconds); and bull rider Wyatt Marshall (86 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo's Billy's Hideaway).

The 23-year-old rookie Blayne Saine was the winning tie-down roper at the 2025 Resistol Rookie Roundup. PRCA Photo by Kay Miller

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