ProRodeo Sports News - August 6, 2021

think I’ve probably got enough money won to qualify for the Mountain States Circuit Finals again this year,” said McIntyre, who has eight career Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifications but is still looking for his first RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo berth. “I’ll try to get to the (National Circuit) finals, because that’s some really big money for next year. I have as good of a chance as anyone to make it.” McIntyre split the third round with Nick Guy and Eli Lord at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up in mid-April for $1,700, shared first with five-time PRCAWorld Champion Luke Branquinho in Cave Creek, Ariz., to earn $1,819 in late May, and won in Union, Ore., for $1,295 in mid-June. McIntyre rode his former mare, Fancy, in Arizona and banked another $4,098 on Tavenner’s horse, Oscar, in Casper, Wyo., in mid-July. The remainder of his other big checks came on his new steed, a 9-year-old horse named Gears he bought fromCurtis Cassidy in March. “I’ve ridden him pretty much everywhere I’ve won money,” McIntyre said. “Curtis started him last year, and he’s green, but he’s been awesome. He gets a little excited once in a while, but that horse is talented. “He dang sure gives you a good chance to win every

first college rodeo at Weber State, he still managed to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo that same year, and he turned a rehab stint with the university’s hockey team into a three-year college hockey career. McIntyre grew up learning the benefit of hard work on his family’s ranch in Douglas, running cows, farming and putting up hay, while also cutting his teeth in rodeo. His father, Todd, was a professional saddle bronc rider, and the 6-foot, 245-pound McIntyre thought about following in his father’s footsteps until he grew too big for the event. “I’m not built to be a bronc rider, I’m built to be a steer wrestler,” he said. “So, that dream came to an end pretty early in my career. Once this much weight gets going in one direction, it’s going to stay there.” Those who know him best believe McIntyre’s headed in the right direction. “He’s got a good horse, has ventured out of the circuit and has things rolling,” said Tavenner, who was ninth in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings on Aug. 2. “He’s the life of the party, likes to have a lot of fun and always keeps a positive attitude. He’s a great competitor, he’s athletic, he’s strong and has a lot of skills, and all those combined make for a great

“I’m not built to be a bronc rider, I’m built to be a steer wrestler. So, that dream came to an end pretty early in my career.” – PADEN MCINTYRE

time you nod your head. The more time we spend together, with me learning how to ride him and him getting more seasoned, I think he’ll be really good someday.” McIntyre now has the time to work on his chemistry with Gears because the tech company he started five years ago, 307 Technologies, is running strong. The company specializes in data center virtualization, security networking and phone solutions, as well as software and hardware implementation. McIntyre – who earned an associate’s degree in computer science from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah – said they work a lot with large-scale clients like local hospitals and school districts. The perseverance needed to run a successful business while making some waves in ProRodeo has served McIntyre well. Despite breaking his leg at his

bulldogger. “I think we’re right where we need to be, and Payden is one hit away from being in the Top 15, so I think we’re both very optimistic and looking forward to it.” Qualifying for the national circuit finals for the first time is a prime goal for McIntyre, but so is earning his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo berth. “I’m just going to go rodeo and stay hooked up as long as I can,” McIntyre said. “Man, it’d be awesome to make the (Wrangler National) Finals. I think it’s a childhood dream of any cowboy who rodeos, and this is the closest I’ve ever been. “I know I don’t have a lot of years left in me to do it, so if I could make the Finals this year or next year, it really would be a dream come true.”

Photo courtesy of Paden McIntyre From left to right, steer wrestlers and traveling partners Bubba Boots, Dirk Tavenner and Payden McIntyre take a break before getting back on the PRCA trail. McIntyre is making a push to make his Wrangler National Finals Rodeo debut this season.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/6/2021

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