ProRodeo Sports News - Feb. 21, 2020

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TRACY RENCK

How did you get your start in rodeo? Justin: My family always had horses around and that’s how I began rodeoing. I’m the only one in my family to compete at the PRCA level. My dad and my grandpa roped around the house a little bit, but never rodeoed at a high level. What horse are your riding? Justin: Doc. He’s 15. That’s the horse that I’ve ridden the whole time I’ve been in the PRCA. I can’t say enough good things about Doc. Probably the biggest thing about him is his consistency. You can rely on him to do the same trip every time. I would label him a winner. He wants you to win and doesn’t do anything to cost you. In 2018, he was hurt, that’s why I didn’t go as much. How much did narrowly missing the Wrangler NFR fuel you for 2020? Justin: Before last year you always tell yourself that you can do it, and to come that close and know that you really can do it and you can compete at that level, it gave me a lot of confidence coming back into this year. I know more about some rodeos that I like to go to that fit me and my horse. I have a lot of confidence finishing that close and knowing I can do it. I feel more knowledgeable and more prepared, and I have a better chance than I did last year. What are some of your favorite rodeos you’ve competed at? Justin: The San Angelo (Texas) Rodeo and San Antonio. I like the fast set-ups in the winter buildings. I think it would be really cool to win California Rodeo Salinas. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Justin: No. I’m an only child. Do you have any skills outside of rodeo? Justin: I played sports like basketball and baseball through high school. But it has been my goal ever since I was 12 or 13 years old to make the National Finals Rodeo, and that’s what I put all my time into. I do shoe my own horses, and I can do it how I want to do it. What’s your favorite restaurant? Justin: Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. I usually get a Cajun seafood pasta with a sweet tea. What’s your favorite dessert? Justin: Cheesecake. Nowhere specific, just any kind of cheesecake. I’m always down for cheesecake. What’s your favorite go-to movie? Justin: The Wolf of Wall Street . I love that movie because it is about a bad dude. Who are your rodeo idols? Justin: It’s hard to pick one. I would have to say Joe Beaver, Roy Cooper and Fred Whitfield. I don’t try and emulate one person. I want to rope like Justin Smith. But the thing is I can look at those guys and take a little bit from each one of them and develop my own style that works for me. Who are your favorite non-rodeo athletes to watch? Justin: My favorite basketball team is the Houston Rockets, and I like watching Justin Smith, 22, a native of Leesville, La., earned $46,168 in 2017 and finished second in the PRCA | Resistol Rookie of the Year standings in tie-down roping. He roped on a limited basis in 2018 after his horse was injured but bounced back in 2019. He just missed qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the first time, finishing 17th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $78,560. He was 16th in the Feb. 18 world standings and is eager to make it to Las Vegas in 2020.

JUSTIN SMITH

James Harden and Russell Westbrook. I watch a basketball game just about every night. I have been to several Rockets games and I’ve been to a bunch of Oklahoma City Thunder games.

What do you like to do when you’re not rodeoing? Justin: I like playing a little basketball and golf. Around anybody who was good at golf, I wouldn’t call myself good. To my buddies who don’t play golf, I tell them I’m pretty good. Guys who are good, I wouldn’t want to tell them I’m good because then they will want to go and play.

ProRodeo Sports News 2/21/2020

ProRodeo.com

10