ProRodeo Sports News 2023 Year-End Edition

Mason Clements pocketed $28,750 in Sioux Falls, which led him to a spot in the 2023 Wrangler NFR. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee photo by Clay Guardipee

Clements gains NFR bid by winning Cinch Playoffs

BY TRACY RENCK B areback rider Mason Clements knew what was at stake. The Spanish Fork, Utah, cowboy was sitting in 19th place in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and had plenty of ground to make up to get in the coveted Top 15 in the last weekend of the 2023 regular season. Clements delivered in a big way at the inaugural Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup presented by Community Coffee at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., Sept. 28-30. Clements won the rodeo with an 87.5-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Two Buck Chuck and earned a $25,000 payday. “I’m speechless,” said Clements, who went to nine rodeos in 10 days, concluding in Sioux Falls. Clements left town with $28,750 and vaulted into 11th in the world standings with $26,166. This will be Clements fourth trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and his first since 2020. “The last little while has been tough,” said Clements, 31. “It has been a battle to get back to the (NFR), I’m not going to lie. Injuries, ups downs, babies, dogs, family, it has been a tough battle. We have been doing everything just different around the house. My hat’s off first to my wife, (Brianna), she is better than I deserve. Then, my family for backing me and supporting me so much and my great sponsors, this just wouldn’t be possible. “All the hard work that we’ve been doing behind the scenes and preparation with my wife and family and sports therapy and training at home and how I prepare with my mind and body has all been different this year. I

just kept telling myself to trust the process and believe in everything you’re doing is exactly what you need to do. (On Sept. 30), we showed that off.” Clements’ championship adventure began taking shape when he qualified for the eight-man semifinal round by placing fifth in the average with 166 points on two head. He then won the semifinals with an 85.5-point ride on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo’s Hot Mocha, guaranteeing himself a spot in the final-four championship round, where he climbed aboard Two Buck Chuck. “I knew that horse was going to do his job right out of there,” Clements said. “He’s a big stud and he showed it out there. Everything over the last 10 days that I was trying to make this happen, everything hit me. I had a head cold and body aches and I just trusted my system and process in what I have been doing. Two Buck gave me everything he had, and I knew I had to give my all to match him. He was definitely no day off. I just appreciate the Franzens (Powder River) for having that great horse in Sioux Falls. This is awesome not only to get back to the Finals, but for my career.” Barrel racer Emily Beisel won the won the RAM Top Gun Award – given to the contestant who won the most money in a single event in Sioux Falls. Beisel earned $43,750, nearly a clean sweep, outside of splitting the Round 1 win. The top money earner was Stetson Wright ($40,000, bull riding). Other winners at the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup were steer wrestler Jesse Brown (3.4 sec.); team ropers Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin (3.4 sec.); saddle bronc rider Kade Bruno (87.5 pts.); tie-down roper Shad Mayfield (7.3 sec.); barrel racer Emily Beisel (13.74 sec.); breakaway roper Shelby Boisjoli (2.1 sec); bull rider Stetson Wright (90 pts.)

ProRodeo Sports News 12/22/2022

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