ProRodeo Sports News - August 4, 2023

Memories SNAKE RIVER STAMPEDE

NAMPA, IDAHO

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News T he ride happened several days ago, but Shea Fournier vibrates with excitement when recalling it. First, let’s get the back story for context. Fournier is 22. He remains on his permit, and even with a college national title on his resume, knows how difficult it is to close out a pro rodeo. When he drew Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Ricky Bobby, he could practically hear the horse speaking to him, ‘If you ain’t first, you’re last.’ “I am not going to lie. I had a little more nerves going through me. He’s a pretty well-known horse, and I had a lot of adrenaline,” Fournier said as he walked back to his rig to head to his next event. “I knew he was the pluck of the pen. He’s one you could win it on.” Fournier calmed the pterodactyls in his stomach and posted an 87-point trip. When the math was done, the Raceland, La., native secured the win with a score of 173.5 points on two head at the Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho, a Playoff Series Rodeo. “It was exciting,” Fournier said. The former college rodeo star created a platform for a victory by making noise on his first ride, Cervi Championship’s Boom Baby. There are a lot of tough nights and bad luck on the road, but when it all comes together like sections in a symphony, there’s nothing like it. “I was looking forward to it. Logan Cook got on that horse before and was leading the rodeo. She was electric,” said Fournier of his 86.5-point ride. “That was 100 percent a dance. That’s the kind of horse that us riders love to get on. It was a dance the entire time, and it was a heck of a lot of fun.” The same could be said of Fournier’s season. His father told him to approach it with the right mindset, treating it as a “trial run” before getting his professional card. He is gaining traction, and it began in 2022. That’s when Fournier won the saddle bronc college title for McNeese State, who finished runner-up for the team crown. “That was the start of it all. That’s when I said, ‘Holy smokes I can do this,’ ” Fournier said. “That is one of the roots of all of it, where I get my confidence. It’s really helped me out here. I was out here to get my feet wet, and it’s been more than that. I am traveling with three other young guys, and we are all hungry and pushing each other. It makes us all better.” Fournier pocketed $8,204 for his work in Idaho. It was a reminder of what is and what could be. “My main goal is I am really pushing to win the Southeastern Circuit. I think that would be one like the college title, really giving me a lot of confidence,” Fournier said. “And that would set me up for rookie season on my card and hopefully my first NFR (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo) in 2024.” Permit holder Shea Fournier wins saddle bronc riding title

TOP SCORES TOP MON EY EARNER

Haven Meged ($12,348, tie down roping) BAREBACK RIDING Meged

1. Will Lowe ................... 172.5 pts. on 2 2. Tim O’Connell .............................. 172 3. Mason Clements ....................... 168.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Nick Guy ..................... 11.1 sec. on 3 2. Cash Robb ................................. 12.6 3. Trisyn Klawaia ............................ 13.8 TEAM ROPING 1. C. Smith/C. Payne ....... 12.0 sec. on 3 2. T. James/W. Cox ......................... 13.1 3. K. Driggers/J. Nogueira .............. 13.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Shea Fournier ............ 173.5 pts. on 2 2. Lefty Holman ................................171 (Tie) Carson Bingham .................. 171 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Haven Meged .............. 24.0 sec. on 3 2. Connor Atkinson ........................ 24.2 3. Monty Lewis ............................... 24.5 BARREL RACING 1. Sue Smith ................. 31.01 sec. on 2 2. Sara Winkleman ....................... 31.66 3. Lisa Lockhart ............................ 31.83 BULL RIDING 1. Cody Teel ................... 174.5 pts. on 2 (Tie) Laramie Mosley ................ 174.5 3. Wylee Hurst ................................. 168

Hailey Rae photo

Saddle bronc rider Shea Fournier won the average at the Snake River Stampede with 173.5 points on two head.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/4/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 8/4/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

50

51