ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 20, 2024

HORSES OF THE YEAR

Nutrena Horses of the Year Awards

BY ALEX DODD S uccess in rodeo doesn’t fall on just the the arena. The Nutrena Horse of the Year Awards presented by AQHA recognize PRORODEO’s top horses. TEAM ROPING HEADER Espuela Bro “Spur” OWNER: Tyler and Jessi Wade RIDER: Tyler Wade Why the horse is special: In team roping, heading horses set the tone for a duo and can make or break a run. Consistency sets Spur apart from other team roping horses on the PRORODEO scene. Tyler Wade said the horse doesn’t mess up much, making him a better roper and setting up a clean catch for his heeler. Spur is 17 years old. He weighs 1,100 pounds and is 15.1 hands. The Wades have owned the horse for the last five years. This marks Spur’s first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Hear it from Tyler: “He can shave off time. He never costs you time, and he’s super consistent. I don’t think he’s been any different. He’s been the same horse for the last couple of years. But I personally feel that more people started to notice the consistency.” TEAM ROPING HEELER Kadabra King “Turbo” OWNER: Patrick and Christi Smith RIDER: Patrick Smith Why the horse is special: Turbo’s ability to adjust for any setup sets him apart from other team roping heeler horses. A lot of horses can perform well in certain arenas, but Turbo gets the job done at short arenas like the Thomas & Mack Center and long ones like at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Turbo is 14 years old. He weighs 1,015 pounds and is 14.3 hands. The Smiths have owned the horse for the last 10 years, and this marks Turbo’s third-straight Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Hear it from Patrick: “He’s got speed. He’s got the quickness, strength and mental toughness that it takes to be on the road the way that he has. I definitely want to say what a blessing he’s been to me and my family. And to thank all the guys voting for him.” STEER WRESTLING Finding Meno “Crush” OWNER: TC Equine LLC RIDER: Ty Erickson, J.D. Struxness and Rowdy Parrott Why the horse is special: Crush is one of cowboys and cowgirls. Their horses play just as big of a factor when they step foot in

the most sought-after horses in the steer wrestling because he always gives you a chance to win. The horse stands well in the box and always runs hard. It doesn’t matter who gets on Crush. He gets in the box and stands flat-footed, allowing bulldoggers to focus on the run ahead of them. Crush is 13 years old. He weighs 1,300 pounds and is 15.1 hands. TC Equine purchased the horse in 2017. This marks Crush’s first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Hear it from Ty: “This feels so good because that horse is so deserving of that award. I was hoping he was going to win it because I feel like he deserved it this year. He’s been great all year.” TIE-DOWN ROPING Why the horse is special: Lollipop’s speed and consistency separate her from other tie-down roping horses going down the PRORODEO road. The horse propelled Mayfield to a sensational 2024 season in the tie-down roping and all-around as he prepares to enter the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, leading in both categories. Lollipop is 14 years old. She’s 14.3 hands and weighs 1,150 pounds. Mayfield purchased the horse last April, and this is her first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Hear it from Shad: “I think they realized what she’s done this year. I’ve won dang near every big, major rodeo on her. I think everybody saw what she did this year. I knew it’d be a tough race with her and Haven Meged’s horse…but she definitely deserved it this year.” BARREL RACING Force the Goodbye “Jarvis” OWNER: The late Michael Boone RIDER: Kassie Mowry Why the horse is special: Jarvis brings the whole package to the arena for each run. His strengths are his personality and athleticism. The horse always gives his rider a chance to win and wants to be good. Jarvis may not be the fastest or the most intelligent but makes up for it with his agreeableness. Jarvis is six years old. He’s 15.3 hands and weighs 1,300 pounds. This is his first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Hear it from Kassie: “I’ve trained a lot of horses over the years, and I feel like Jarvis isn’t just the best at one thing. Jarvis is just a combination and it’s a package deal. He’s the whole package: very kind, very willing and very athletic.” Figure to Fly “Lollipop” OWNER: Shad Mayfield RIDER: Shad Mayfield

BREAKAWAY ROPING Stylish Drifter “Dutch” OWNER: Josie Conner RIDER: Josie Conner

Why the horse is special: In a lightning-fast event, Dutch takes a lot of time out of a run. He runs hard and flat, while still getting in position to break off the rope. The horse has a unique ability to hold the calf and break the rope in good time. Dutch is 15 years old. He’s 14.3 hands and weighs 1,100 pounds. Conner purchased Dutch in 2022, and this is his first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Hear it from Josie: “It’s a very big honor in the PRCA to have the Horse of the Year. And this is the first time that I’ve ever had a horse that won horse of the year. So, it was just really cool, and it was really exciting. Dutch is a one-of-a-kind animal.” STEER ROPING Why the horse is special: Big Country allows steer ropers to win money almost anywhere. He’s not fazed by indoor or outdoor setups and placed in a round on the grass at the Pendleton Roundup. This is his first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Big Country is eight years old. He weighs 1,200 pounds and is 15 hands. McMillen is the only cowboy to have ever ridden the horse. Hear it from Kelton: “It’s a pretty cool accomplishment. I bought that horse as a yearling, so I’ve been the only one to ever ride him. So, that’s a pretty cool deal that everybody else thinks he’s as good as I do.” PICKUP MAN Guys High on Fame “Tuffy” OWNER: Tyler and Vanessa Kraft RIDER: Tyler Kraft Why the horse is special: Tuffy is an all around horse. Kraft’s daughter rides him in barrel racing and he’s also competed as a head horse. He’s typically utilized in the bareback riding. But Tuffy’s reliability also translates into versatility, regardless of the arena setup. Tuffy is nine years old. He weighs 1,300 pounds and is 15.3 hands. The Krafts have owned Tuffy since he was three years old. This is Tuffy’s first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award, but the second-straight one for the Krafts. Hear it from Tyler: “This absolutely means a lot. There are a lot of nice pickup horses out there and to be recognized for two of them in back-to back years is awesome.” Unbreykable “Big Country” OWNER: Kelton McMillen RIDER: Kelton McMillen

ProRodeo Sports News 12/20/2024

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