ProRodeo Sports News - April 5, 2019

RAM NCFR

Mexican cowboys shine/Page 40

Smith lands sharks, bull riding buckle

BY SCOTT KANIEWSKI G arrett Smith had never seen the ocean. This year’s trip to Kissimmee, Fla., for the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo wasn’t the first time he’d been to central Florida for the RAMNCFR either. But this year, was different. In more ways than

“That was awesome, it was quite the experience,” said Smith, of Rexburg, Idaho. “I had never seen an ocean, let alone be out in one. That was pretty awesome.” The 24-year-old, two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier could be heading to his third Finals and first since 2017 if he continues to have the success he’s had so far. He’s upped his season earnings to $46,557. Last season, it took a little more than $94,000 to get to the Finals in Las Vegas. Smith is about halfway there with half the season to go. “I needed this boost,” he said. “Last year, I was

TOP STOCK The top stock of the 2019 RAM NCFR were: Bareback horse, Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Pretty Woman; saddle bronc horse, Silver Spurs Rodeo’s Best Hope; bull, Barnes PRCA Rodeo’s Tallahassee Red.

one.

Smith was the only bull rider to make the whistle in the four-man finals, earning his first RAMNCFR title and nearly $30,000. “This is pretty awesome,” said Smith, who cashed in for $29,711 to climb to seventh in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. “I’ve been here a couple times and had a little bit of success, winning a couple rounds but never made the four-man.” Smith rode Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Holly Holy for 85 points in the final round. Including ground money, that ride garnered him $18,529. The other big difference for Smith was venturing to Cocoa Beach with some fellow cowboys to see the Atlantic Ocean and go shark fishing.

crippled kind of all year, only got to rodeo for three months and almost made the Finals until I broke my pelvis. Last year wasn’t a very good year, so if we can start this one off with a bang it’ll make it a lot smoother.” Smith and his friends caught four sharks. He was ready to get back to the ocean, as long as it doesn’t mean getting in. “It was an awesome experience,” Smith said. “I would do it again for sure in a heartbeat. I can swim good, it’s just I don’t want to if I don’t have to.”

Bull rider Garrett Smith holds his RAM National

TEAM STANDINGS 1. Texas* .............................. $133,689 2. Prairie Circuit ................... $110,432 3. Badlands ............................ $91,808 4. Wilderness ......................... $81,308 5. Montana ............................. $69,123 6. Mountain States ................. $60,956 7. California ............................ $49,133 8. Columbia River ................... $46,164 9. Southeast ........................... $43,171 10. Great Lakes ...................... $30,325 11. Turquoise ......................... $16,805 12. First Frontier ....................... $4,549 * This was the 14th team title for Texas, most of any circuit. Texas won titles in 1994-96, 1998, 2000-01, 2003, 2006, 2010, 2013, 2015-16, 2018-19

Circuit Finals Rodeo championship buckle aloft March 24. Smith won almost $30,000 during the rodeo.

PRCA ProRodeo photo by James Phifer

Complete results on Page 49

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Chase Brooks..........................89.5 pts. 2. Ryder Wright..................................85.5 3. J.J. Elshere........................................83 Jesse Kruse ....................................NS

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Haven Meged............................ 7.4 sec. 2. Cody McCartney...............................7.6 3. Scott Kormos...................................8.6 4. Riley Pruitt........................................8.8

BARREL RACING 1. Lisa Lockhart........................ 15.30 sec. 2. Jessica Routier.............................15.36 3. Kricket Gintner..............................15.43 4. Ericka Nelson................................20.36

BULL RIDING 1. Garrett Smith..............................85 pts. Tyler Bigham....................................NS Cole Melancon..................................NS Justin Rickard..................................NS

ProRodeo Sports News 4/5/2019

ProRodeo.com

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