ProRodeo Sports News - December 16, 2022

All Rise for Pope

BY TRACY RENCK J ess Pope was finally able to finish the deal. After finishing third and second in the world standings in 2020 and 2021, respectively, the Waverly, Kan., cowboy is a PRCAWorld Champion in 2022. “This is awesome,” said Pope, 24. “The emotions right now, there isn’t anything like them. It is just so rewarding. I worked my whole life for this, and it finally came true.” In 2021, Pope saw his chance at a coveted gold buckle vanish in Round 10, when Kaycee Feild had an 89.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s New Scarlet. That earned Feild $21,336. Field beat Pope $357,420 to $340,499. Flash forward to 2022 and Pope wasn’t going to be denied. He made a businessman-ride of 81.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Southern Star in Round 10. That ride clinched the average for Pope and the world championship with $390,620, muscling past Feild who finished with $316,490. “I knew I had it in me,” Pope said. “It was just letting the cards fall where they were supposed to and doing what I was supposed to when I was. Everything worked out the way it was supposed to, (it was) God’s plan.” Pope set his world championship march in motion by winning Round 3 with an 86.5-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Mr. Harry. He then won Round 7 with an 89-point ride on Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Mayhem to win Round 7. “I had never been on that horse. I’ve seen him go a lot and I’ve seen him buck a lot and I always thought that was a bucking son of gun,” said Pope of his Round 3 horse. “I was a little bit nervous when I saw my name next to him, but I sure am glad it worked out. “That ride (in Round 7) was fun, but it was a bit tough. He has a weird build; a real short back and he hits you in the back the whole time. It feels really empty when he starts turning back like that, but it worked out and I was pretty happy to have him.” Pope, who has won the average at the 2020, 2021 and 2022 NFRs, remained humble despite his run of success. “My mindset is I have the best job in the world, and I’m just tickled to be here,” Pope said. “Whatever happens is going to happen and it sure beats the heck out of having to show up to an office every day and I’m thankful to get to ride bucking horses for a living.” And now he will be wearing a gold buckle to show how good he is at his job. Jess wins coveted bareback riding title

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

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