ProRodeo Sports News - August 18, 2023

EDITOR’S LETTER TRACY RENCK

Tracy Renck is the editor of the ProRodeo

Sports News. He previously served more than seven years as a media coordinator at the PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism with the last several consumed by ProRodeo.

Peggy Gander photo Saddle bronc rider Logan Hay was rewarded for his crazy journey to get to the Lea County PRCA Rodeo in Lovington, N.M., by earning $4,605.

Hay goes to all lengths chasing return trip to NFR Chasing the dream, while living the dream. If there ever was a motto for PRCA cowboys to live by this would be a good choice – because it is the truth. Cowboys will go to all lengths chasing qualifications for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and a coveted gold buckle. Look no further than saddle bronc rider Logan Hay. Hay, who had Tommy John surgery on May 19 on his right elbow, is frantically trying to make up for lost time and cash checks at rodeos to earn his second-consecutive bid to the NFR. make great time. “I got (to Lovington) a couple hours before the rodeo and I took a little nap and headed on over to the rodeo,” Hay said. “I was riding solo because all my partners went to Logan, Utah. We all do a lot of traveling to get to places, but this was one was a little bit excessive.” Hay was rewarded for his – ‘excessive’ road trip – as he took second at the Playoff Series rodeo with an 88.5-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Little Bit, earning $4,605.

A year ago, Hay made a memorable NFR debut, finishing third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $339,401. He earned $199,960 at the NFR alone. Hay’s mindset to return to the NFR was in full force on Aug. 9. After competing at the United States Open Xtreme Bronc Match in Faith, S.D., he was in travel-plan mode to figure out a way to get to the Lea County PRCA Rodeo in Lovington, N.M., where he was scheduled to ride on Aug. 10. “I drove straight from Faith to get on a flight at 3:30 a.m. (Aug. 10) in Rapid City (S.D.) (which is two hours from Faith),” Hay said. “I took a flight from Rapid to Albuquerque and I rented a nice little Nissan Versa and I had to drive like six hours to Lovington.” Hay wasn’t breaking any land speed records in his Versa, but he did

“The ride felt really good for me. I never let his power get to me,” Hay said. “He definitely is powerful for a little horse. I was pretty pumped to see that big score. I haven’t had a lot of luck lately. Good to get a score like that at a rodeo like that.” As crazy as Hay’s travel itinerary was to get to Lovington, he might have some crazier trips to talk about by the end of September as he tries to forge his way into the Top 15 of the world standings. The Canadian cowboy had 60 of his 100-rodeo limit to use up by Sept. 30 when the PRCA regular season ends. Hay will not be alone with a hectic schedule as numerous contestants in all events will be chasing the dream and living the dream – just to hopefully get the opportunity to compete in the bright lights of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas in December.

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ProRodeo Sports News 8/18/2023

ProRodeo.com

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