ProRodeo Sports News - December 16, 2022

TIE-DOWN ROPING WORLD CHAMPION

Caleb Smidt started off his outstanding Wrangler NFR by winning Round 1 with a 7.5-second run. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

Back-to-Back

“It’s unbelievable. Just what I have accomplished is beyond my imagination. My belief in God and the horse I have, and my family pushed me to be better every day. It’s a tough sport to even do this. To leave your family in the summer to make it here is hard, and it’s a long 10 days here. It’s an unbelievable blessing to do this,” Smidt said. “And to have the success I have had and great friends I rope against every day who encourage me to be who I am, it’s amazing. I am happy for my family. They supported me all week. I do it for them, for the fans and I give all the glory to the God.” Smidt turnedThomas &Mack Center into his own personal arena with poise and purpose. He finished the season with $374,737 in earnings, including $225,221 at the NFR. Smidt was like a shark, wasting no movement as he advanced through each night in front of the big crowds. The dominance began from the outset with victories in the first

two rounds. Times of 7.5 and 7.2 seconds, his best of the event, put the competition on notice. For the elite, separation is often in the preparation. For Smidt, it is the combination. No one has a horse like Pockets. Smidt bought Pockets in 2015. All four of his crowns have come aboard Pockets, a 15-year-old horse known for giving a rider a chance every round because of his predictability. “I don’t even think I would have a gold buckle without him. That’s how good he is. The consistency he gives me every time I nod my head. It’s unbelievable,” Smidt said. “When I back in there, and I know it’s all on me to win something, it’s pretty easy. I don’t have to worry about my horse. A lot of guys this week were switching horses to try to find something that works. When I ride on him, I know I have a chance. When you have a horse that does the exact same thing every time it gives you a chance. He’s going to do his job.”

Tie-down roper Smidt wins fourth career world title, first consecutively

BY BRADY RENCK Special to ProRodeo Sports News C aleb Smidt boasts humility that

Smidt, 33, captured his fourth PRCAWorld Championship in

tie-down roping, adding to his titles in 2015, 2018 and 2021. His first back-to back gold buckles came with breathtaking statistics. He recorded a time of 82.5 seconds on 10 head. Cory Solomon placed second at 93.4 seconds.

reminds folks he’s a cowboy first, a competitor second. He has worked cattle, developed the calluses of the western lifestyle. Listen to him talk, and you feel like he’d be content on a ranch. Then you watch him on a horse with a rope, it’s hard to believe he was meant to do anything else.

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

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