ProRodeo Sports News - April 26, 2024

LOGANDALE, NEV.

CLARK COUNTY FAIR & RODEO

Embracing Opportunity

Smith embraces challenge that resulted in big payday BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News L ast year, Riggin Smith might not have showed up in Logandale, Nev., for his ride. The up-and-coming saddle bronc competitor admits that the idea of being the first person to ever climb on the back of a horse for its PRCA debut is something that could have led him to turning out at the Clark County Fair & Rodeo. Cowboys turn out at rodeos all the time because of the matchup they’re facing, and no one would have thought twice to see Smith opt out. But that’s why things didn’t go well for the Winterset, Iowa, native last year. It’s why he finished 44th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, his lowest showing since being unranked in 2019. It is why things had to change in 2024. “I think it would have been really easy to kind of overlook that horse in Logandale and not really think anything about it and ride it as good as you can,” Smith said. “The difference this year is I’m capitalizing on opportunities I didn’t know I had.” In the face of uncertainty, Smith showed up and showed out, putting together an 89-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ bucking horse No. 993 to win the saddle bronc title. The 2020 PRCA | Resistol Rookie of the Year in saddle bronc riding credits his travel partners as a big reason for the refocused mentality. He rode with Trent Burd to Logandale and the duo talked a lot about handling the moment, not worrying about the unknown and having a positive mindset. Being around “like-minded people” has reshaped Smith’s focus this season. With no first-hand intel from other competitors on what he was facing, Smith got some insight from stock contractor and horse owner Wade Sankey on what to expect from No. 993. He figured out how much rein to give the horse and if it had shown any tendencies in practice sessions. The big takeaway – just go ride. “On one like that, just keep spurring,” Smith said with a laugh. The minimalist plan certainly worked out in his favor, giving Smith his biggest single payday of the season thus far. Winning in Logandale resulted in $6,994 being added to his tally for the season, putting Smith firmly inside the top 20 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Smith considers himself fortunate to be in this situation after last year’s results kept him from qualifying for some of the bigger winter rodeos. While he did pick up about $6,200 at Rodeo Austin, most of his earnings in 2024 have come from smaller rodeos throughout the country. It’s been a different process to amass almost $31,000 in earnings this season, but Smith is grateful for the opportunity to keep plugging along. And no matter what challenges are ahead, he’s ready to take them on. “I had a bad year last year. Like I couldn’t even get into San Antonio or Houston or any of the big winter rodeos, so I’ve been having to bounce around to the smaller rodeos the whole time. It’s kind of nice getting a big paycheck,” Smith said.

TOP MONEY EARNER TOP SCORES

Marty Yates ($8,477, tie down roping) BAREBACK RIDING

Yates

1. Clayton Biglow .................... 88.5 pts. 2. Donny Proffit ............................. 87.5 3. Tanner Aus .................................... 87 STEER WRESTLING 1. Ty Erickson ................... 7.9 sec. on 2 2. Dalton Massey ............................. 8.1 3. Justice Johnson ........................... 8.6 TEAM ROPING 1. B. Hall/K. Profili ............ 9.8 sec. on 2 2. J. Smith/D. Rich ........................ 10.3 3. L. Brown/T. Graves .................... 10.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Riggin Smith .......................... 89 pts. 2. Isaac Diaz .................................. 86.5 (Tie) Brody Wells ....................... 86.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Marty Yates ................. 17.2 sec. on 2 2. Ty Harris .................................... 17.5 3. Monty Lewis .............................. 17.7 BARREL RACING 1. Emily Beisel ...................... 17.17 sec. 2. Wenda Johnson ....................... 17.25 3. Stephanie Fryar ........................ 17.32 BULL RIDING 1. Jake Lockwood ................... 90.5 pts. 2. Hayes Weight ................................ 88 3. Cooper James ............................... 87 (Tie) Luke Mast ............................. 87

Hailey Rae photo Riggin Smith was all business at the Clark County Fair & Rodeo. Smith captured the saddle bronc riding title with an 89-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ No. 993.

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