ProRodeo Sports News - Feb. 21, 2020

Harris wins Jackson for first time 0

BY TRACY RENCK T ie-down roper Ty Harris added his name to the history-rich Dixie National Rodeo winner’s list. Harris, 21, took home the title at the 2020 edition of the rodeo with a 16.0-second time on two head at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Miss. “It was really good to get that win,” Harris said. “The horse I was riding, El Gato, felt great, and I felt like I made two pretty good runs. I honestly didn’t think I would win first. I thought I would maybe win third or fourth. It was a really tight race in the average, and with all those really good ropers I was just blessed to be first.” El Gato, 11, is owned by Bart Hutton and was trained by Justin Maass, an eight- time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – 1999-2000, 2003, 2005, 2008-09, 2012-13. “I’ve been riding El Gato for a little over a year,” Harris said. “Justin Maass was the connection for me and let me start riding (El Gato) a little bit. Then Bart and I got in touch. Justin also helps with the horse all the time in the box and just everywhere, and he’s been a huge blessing for me.” Harris made both his runs – 7.9 seconds and 8.1 seconds – during slack Feb. 5. He then waited until the rodeo concluded Feb. 12 to see if he won the average, which he did by two-tenths of a second over Cimarron Boardman. Harris earned $4,096 at the Dixie National Rodeo. He was fifth in the Feb. 18 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $22,289. “Jackson had really good calves and a great committee, and it was just a really good rodeo,” Harris said. In December, Harris made his Wrangler NFR debut. He finished ninth in the world standings and 14th in the Finals average. He earned $89,115 in Las Vegas, highlighted by winning Round 5 in 7.4 seconds and Round 6 in 7.1. “I learned a lot from last year,” Harris said. “I have to learn to stay in my lane and make the runs I can make and keep my head down and do my job. Winning two rounds at the NFR was unbelievable. I had my granny (Peggy Harris) with me to go up on that stage to get my round buckle (at the South Point). I can’t even explain how amazing it was for my family and me to get to experience that.”

The number of repeat winners at the Dixie National Rodeo from 2019 to 2020. The closest cowboy to accom- plish the feat was 2017 PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion Ryder Wright. Wright finished second at the 2019 and 2020 Dixie National Rodeos. 35 The number of times ProRodeo Hall of Famer Lecile Harris, dubbed the “Dean of Rodeo Clowns/Bullfighters,” worked the Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson. Harris worked the 2020 rodeo, which ended Feb. 12, and passed away in his sleep in Jackson, Feb. 13.

IN BRIEF BLOOM KEEPS CASHING IN Bareback rider Wyatt Bloom had a produc- tive rodeo week to say the least. Bloom finished second in the finals at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo,

Bloom

Feb. 8, and left town after earning $17,260. Bloom then won in Jackson and added another $3,347 for his 86.5-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Walker at the Dixie National Rodeo.

YEARY ADDS ANOTHER 2020 TITLE TO R É SUM É

Bull rider Brody Yeary has had a strong winter run. He earned $7,895 at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver in January and stayed hot in Jackson. The Morgan Mill, Texas, cowboy won the Dixie National Rodeo with a 92-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Bet On Black and collected a $4,636 check. Yeary is seventh in the Feb. 18 world standings with $20,873.

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Dan Hubbell

ProRodeo Sports News 2/21/2020

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