ProRodeo Sports News - December 16, 2022

said. “I know we don’t have the money that all the boys and barrel racers do yet, but we are blessed that we get to go at go-rounds for $5,000 a round and $14,000 for the average (winner). It is nice being able to work for something all year to have a Finals like this. We are all blessed to be here. “Where I was from in Cross Junction, Va., a lot of people don’t rope back there. I moved out here to Oklahoma first and then toWeatherford (Texas) College and I had to learn to rope with all these girls and now we are getting to get to rope at these (big) stages. I thought I was going to have to be a barrel racer to be at the NFR one day and I hate running barrels. I’m glad that we are here.” Cadee Williams won the average with a 31.9-second time on 10 head. She is the first competitor in three years of the Wrangler NFBR to rope all 10 calves with no penalties. “It is awesome,” saidWilliams ,who earned $13,866 for the average victory. “It was a lot over two days because you run back-to back-to-back. I just kept telling myself to keep everything slowed down and slow my mind down and it all worked out and I’m thankful.” BARREL RACER HAILEY KINSEL WINS FOURTH TITLE IN FIVE YEARS Hailey Kinsel concluded her 2022 season with her fourth world championship in five years.

ProRodeo Hall of Famers, from left, Trevor Brazile, Charmayne James and Ty Murray were honored at the Inaugural Vegas NFR Icons Tribute Luncheon at the Virgin Hotel Dec. 1. Photo courtesy Las Vegas Events

gold buckles that include a PRCA-record 14 in all-around (2002-04, 2006 15, 2018), three in tie-down roping (2007, 2009-10) and one in team roping (2010) to go with the National Finals Steer Roping gold buckles in 2006-07, 2011, 2013-15 and 2019-20. “The people, the fans were awesome,” said Brazile about what was so special about competing at theThomas &Mack Center. “There’s no electricity like theThomas &Mack. I have been in there without people, and it doesn’t have electricity until you put people in it and that’s the thing that made it so special.” Murray won nine world championships – seven in all-around 1989 1994, and 1998 and bull riding in 1993 and 1998 – in his decorated ProRodeo career and relished his latest honor. “Competing at the NFR is what everybody works for and that little building (Thomas &Mack Center) where everybody is stacked right on top of each other it encompasses so much excitement,” Murray said. “I will never forget my very first ride at my very first NFR when the horse jumped out in the arena. It felt like magic, and it was everything I had been waiting my whole life for. “This icon award feels so extra special. I feel like this is one of the biggest accolades I have achieved, and it is something we have all watched take place in other sports and I’m glad to see our sport adopt this tradition and I’m so thankful and honored to be going into this with two of my best friends Trevor Brazile and Charmayne James.” James’ career was set in motion in 1982 when a bay gelding, Gills Bay Boy “Scamper,” found a home in James’ barn after paying just $1,200. Together they became the most iconic duo in the equine industry, dominating the barrel racing ranks from 1984 until his retirement in 1993 with 10 consecutive world championships. James also won an 11th world title in 2002 aboard Cruiser. “Every time I go by theThomas &Mack Center, I feel like that is Scamper and my house,” James said. “I’m so honored to be recognized for this honor with my good friends Trevor Brazile and Ty Murray.”

The Texas cowgirl finished as the world standings leader with $302,172 to capture her latest world title. She also won world titles in 2018-2020. “Oh gosh. This is so much to put into words,” Kinsel said. “(Sister) is amazing. I really don’t know how and why she loves this so much and wants to be better every time. She got stronger as the week went on. She came into the last two rounds like she could go 10 more. “I felt really good that I could tell her we are quitting while we are ahead. It’s good to give her a day off as a reward when she’s done that well. She’s so special to me. She’s like family. All our horses are. It’s been an incredible time to be with these ladies. We have a wonderful group of women and amazing horses.” Kinsel edged 2021 world champion Jordon Briggs, who finished with $274,520. BRAZILE, MURRAY, JAMES HONORED AT NFR ICONS TRIBUTE LUNCHEON ProRodeo Hall of Famers Trevor Brazile, Ty Murray and Charmayne James received more accolades on Dec. 1. The trio was honored at the Inaugural Vegas NFR Icons Tribute Luncheon at the Virgin Hotel, where they spoke with hosts Butch Knowles and JeffMedders of The Cowboy Channel. The two announcers are icons themselves as they have been the broadcast team for the NFR for more than 30 years. Brazile was honored in an arena presentation and had a banner unveiled in the rafters of theThomas &Mack Center on Dec. 1 and the same was done for James (Dec. 2) and Murray (Dec. 3). “This is awesome,” Brazile said. “To be the first banner dropped at a place that means this much to me is tremendous. It is one of those things that hits you hard, it is overwhelming. To think of all the banners, they could have dropped here, and they chose me for one of them is really cool.” Brazile, ProRodeo’s only $7-million cowboy, won a PRCA-record 26

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

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