ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 20, 2019

BY AMBER BAILLIE A tight race in tie-down roping at the 2019Wrangler National Finals Rodeo saw rookie Haven Meged emerge with the gold buckle after finishing the season with $246,013. Meged tacked on the average title for good measure with an 85.7-second time on 10 head. The 21-year-old narrowly defeated Shane Hanchey, the 2013 tie-down roping world champion, by less than $1,200 for the world championship. Hanchey needed to win the final round outright with a time of 7.0 seconds or quicker to capture his second gold buckle. Hanchey stopped the clock at 7.1, splitting the win with AdamGray and placing second in the world with $244,832. “It’s been close, and hats off to (Tyson) Durfey (who finished third) and everybody here,” Meged said. “Everyone has roped well, and it’s been a tough deal. You’ve got the Top 15, the best of the best, here every night battling it out, and I’m just fortunate to come out on top.” Meged, the 2019 PRCA | Resistol Tie-down Roping Rookie of the Year, is the first rookie to win a tie-down roping world title since Joe Beaver in 1985. “It’s a dream come true to win Rookie of the Year, the average saddle and this (a gold buckle),” he said. The Miles City, Mont., cowboy was competing on an injured ankle after a bad sprain three weeks before the Finals. Meged received shots and physical therapy to improve before Round 1. “I couldn’t walk for four days after I hurt my ankle,” he said. “I had to have faith in God that it would be alright, and this is his plan.” The 2019 RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo champion was quick to credit his parents and longtime friend Brett Fleming for the success. Meged competed on Fleming’s horse, Beyoncé, whom he purchased on Facebook. “I couldn’t have done it without my parents,” he said. “They’re always willing to help me wherever and whenever, and without them I’d never be anywhere in life. Brett Fleming has helped me since Day 1, sending me all my practice and roping videos since I was in eighth grade. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without my family, sponsors and my horse. It’s just a big deal to have that support system, always there to pick you up, cheer you on – it’s Meged wins tie-down roping world title in first season Rookie Champ

PRCA ProRodeo photo by James Phifer

$126,135 The amount that Haven Meged earned at the Wran- gler National Finals Rodeo to clinch the world title.

unbelievable.” After collecting $126,135 at the Finals, Meged plans to put it toward his future. “I’ve spent a lot of money on calves this year,” he said. “I’m just going to take my money and probably invest it and get ready for next year.”

ProRodeo Sports News 12/20/2019

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