ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 20, 2019

RAM NATIONAL CIRCUIT FINALS

Bull rider Garrett Smith was the only cowboy to cover his bull in the final round at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, March 24. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales

Cha-Ching! RAM NCFR winners score big in Florida

BY SCOTT KANIEWSKI & TRACY RENCK G arrett Smith had never seen the ocean. And last season’s trip to Kissimmee, Fla., for the 2019 RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo wasn’t the first time he’d been to central Florida for the RAMNCFR. But this year was different. In more ways than one. Smith was the only bull rider to make the whistle in the four-man finals, earning his first RAMNCFR title and nearly $30,000 on March 24. “This is pretty awesome,” said Smith, who cashed in for $29,711 to climb to seventh in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. “I’ve been here a couple times and had a little bit of success, winning a couple rounds but never made the four-man.” Smith rode Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Holly Holy for 85 points in the final round. Including ground money, that ride garnered him $18,529. The other big difference for Smith was venturing to Cocoa Beach with some fellow cowboys to see the Atlantic Ocean and go shark fishing. “That was awesome, it was quite the experience,” said Smith, of Rexburg,

Idaho. “I had never seen an ocean, let alone been out in one.”

Smith and Long cash in A new team roping partnership paid dividends early in the 2019 season. Header Clay Smith and heeler Jake Long joined forces, and it resulted in plenty of success. The duo continued their strong run in 2019 by winning the RAM NCFR with a 4.8-second run in the four-team finals. “We just tried to make our run and see what happened,” Smith said. “Jake heeled him really fast, and I just tried to get out of the barrier and get it on them. We just have to keep trying to win as much as we can because it is going to come down to what happens at the NFR. Every dollar helps and will add up in the end.” Long agreed. “Colonel (Long’s horse) did such a good job and let me set my rope down in a pretty tough spot,” Long said about the pair’s finals run. “Clay did a good job of keeping it moving and it worked out.” Smith and Long each earned $25,207 for their performance.

ProRodeo Sports News 12/20/2019

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