ProRodeo Sports News - August 21, 2020

Riggin Smith sets record, grabs win at Sikeston SIKESTON JAYCEE BOOTHEEL RODEO ookie ocket R

BY MATT NABER H ailing from the birthplace of John Wayne and sporting a name like Riggin Smith, it should come as no surprise that the rookie saddle bronc rider is rapidly rising through the standings. “Yeah, a lot of people don’t believe you when you say that, actually,” Smith laughed. “I tell everyone I know that JohnWayne is from Winterset (Iowa).” Smith entered the Fourth of July run 35th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings and gained momentum in the race for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo when he won the Black Hills Round-Up in Belle Fouche, S.D. One month later, Smith won the Sikeston (Mo.) Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo with an 88.5-point ride onThe Cervi Brothers’ Womanizer, breaking the previous record by a half point. “It just means I’m on the right track,” Smith said. “I still have a ways to go and there are a lot of rodeos left, so I’ll do as well as I can at all of them and let the chips fall where they may.” The previous record was set by Rusty Allen (2008) and matched by ProRodeo Hall of Famer Billy Etbauer (2009). Smith’s Sikeston win was worth $4,850, launching him from 25th to 20th in the world standings and putting him $5,327 shy of breaking into the Top 15. “I’m just happy to be in the spot I’m at,”

TOP SCORES

$20K The amount, $20,707, that Sikeston’s total payoff increased, rising from $160,312 in 2019 to $181,019 in 2020. 3 The number of competitors who set records during the Sikeston rodeo. Riggin Smith set the saddle bronc rid - ing record with 88.5 points. Barrel racer Cheyenne Wimberley set the record with her 15.99-second run that was im - mediately topped by Ryann Pedone, who stopped the clock in 15.91 seconds.

TOP MONEY WINNERS Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres and Colby Lovell/Paul Eaves tied at 4.3 seconds and won $5,097 each. BAREBACK RIDING 1. (Tie) Tim O’Connell .............. 89.5 pts. Clayton Biglow ........................... 89.5 3. Richmond Champion .................. 88.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Kyle Irwin .............................. 3.9 sec. 2. Eli Lord ........................................ 4.1 3. Two tied at .................................... 4.3 TEAM ROPING 1. (Tie) J. Torres/J. Torres ......... 4.3 sec. C. Lovell/P. Eaves ......................... 4.3 3. Three tied at ................................. 4.5 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Riggin Smith ....................... 88.5 pts. 2. Jake Watson ............................... 87.5 3. Two tied at ..................................... 87 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Charlie Gibson ...................... 7.7 sec. 2. Hunter Herrin ............................... 7.8 3. Jesse Hinkle ................................. 7.9 BARREL RACING 1. Ryann Pedone ................... 15.91 sec. 2. Cheyenne Wimberley ................ 15.99 3. Hailey Kinsel ............................. 16.09 BULL RIDING 1. (Tie) Daylon Swearingen ........ 90 pts. Jeston Mead .................................. 90 3. Cole Melancon ........................... 87.5

Smith said. “I’m definitely trying to make the Finals. I have to take it one horse at a time and keep placing everywhere, and then take advantage of the opportunities I get to win.” His Sikeston win also gave his lead in the PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings a healthy boost, creating a $10,000 gap between him and the No. 2 position. “There are a lot of good guys in the rookie deal, and I’m just happy to be part of the rookie class,” Smith said. “Everyone rides good that’s in it.” Smith came into his rookie year guns blazing, fresh off winning the 2019 College National Champion Saddle Bronc Rider title as part of the Clarendon (Texas) College rodeo team. Smith completed his welding degree and made the plunge into full-time ProRodeo competition just in time for the COVID-19 pandemic to make this a season unlike any other. “Everywhere you go is just so hard,” said Smith, 22. “There’s no ducking off to a little rodeo, and if you’re not riding good, you still need to be 86 points to place.” Smith revels in the challenge. “It’s exciting,” he said. “I like having to ride good every time you shake your face, it makes you better. Since my rookie year was the weirdest year ever, anything from now on will feel normal.”

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