ProRodeo Sports News - August 7, 2020

Kirt Steinke photo Heeler Calgary Smith, left, and heading partner Jason Stewart acknowledge the crowd after winning the 2019 Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up. The duo will compete together at the 2020 RAM NCFR in Greeley, Colo., in September.

“That was a long time ago,” Stewart said. “I hadn’t been roping, and I wasn’t as busy as I had been (last summer). Calgary had his permit, and he was bugging me to head for him. I’ve known him forever. I made a deal with him if he would heel for my son (Jett, 16) at amateur rodeos, I would head for him at the Columbia River Circuit rodeos, and that’s how it all started.” When Hageman learned the 2020 NCFR was back on, he did have a nervous moment. “I’m getting married on Sept. 26 (to Sarah Herold),” Hageman said. “When I saw the announcement for the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo, I was kind of scared they may have rescheduled the NCFR on that day. I was afraid I was going to have to try and figure out how to ride and come back and get married, but the dates worked out.” Stewart and Smith captured a huge payday when they won their hometown rodeo, the 2019 Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up and earned $8,788. “That was awesome,” Stewart said. “We went from barely making the (RAMColumbia River Circuit Finals) to being second in the circuit standings. We weren’t ever thinking about making the NCFR. Calgary has never roped with anybody who had made the NFR, and I’m kind of like a

mentor to him. Calgary ropes really well. You’re going to see him on TV a lot before long.” The RAM NCFR will feature contestants from each of the 12 U.S. circuits plus Canada and Mexico, bringing more than 200 contestants to Island Grove Regional Park for five competition rounds over the four days. The event will culminate with a semifinals and finals on Sunday, Sept. 13, when the national circuit champions will be crowned. “Between here and there (the start of the NCFR), I’m hoping to go ahead and get on quite a few horses and get on top of my game again,” Hageman said. “I want to go into it with a good attitude, get on some really nice bucking horses and become better after coming out of it.” Stewart is eager to see what he and Smith can accomplish. “We qualified, so we have a chance, and if the stars align again who knows,” Stewart said. “We need to put in some work, put in some practice and try and be as prepared as we can when we get there.” The RAMNCFR is slated to return to Kissimmee in 2021. The rodeo is scheduled for April 9-11 and will again be a key ingredient for cowboys competing to qualify for the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/7/2020

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