ProRodeo Sports News - February 8, 2019

“It’s always nice to see your kids win, and it’s a little extra special when it’s your hometown rodeo,” he said. “They give that memorial buckle for a friend of mine, so that was pretty cool.” Without his dad around in Rapid City, the rodeo had a slightly different feel, Eli said. “I called him before the rodeo and told

everything he gets.”

Eli occasionally ropes with his brother, Levi. But Levi is more into team roping than Eli, so the two only pair intermittently. But Eli made sure to have Levi hazing in Rapid City. Locking up the all-around title was also a boost with Eli. “The all-around is a big deal for me because

him I think that was the first time I’d been to that rodeo and he wasn’t there either entered with me or there to watch,” he said. “He was pretty sad about it when I called and told him that.” With plenty of family and friends in attendance, they always aim to do well there. Stopping the steer wrestling clock in 4.7 seconds in the first performance Jan. 25, Eli wasn’t confident in finishing first. With so many acquaintances in Rapid City, he never had to check the results of the nine-day rodeo to see how his time ranked. “I didn’t really have to keep an eye on it,” Eli said. “I had enough people around there that when the rodeo would get over, somebody would text me and let me know if I was still winning the rodeo. I didn’t have to check on it at all.”

my dad won a lot of them,” Lord said. “I’ve done two events ever since I started rodeoing. It’s always a goal of mine to win the all-around everywhere I go. That means you did well in both events.” As of Feb. 8, Eli ranked 27th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings in steer wrestling with $5,840. He finished 2018 with $24,021 in steer wrestling and $37,945 in the all-around, 18th in the world standings. Eli’s grandma will undoubtedly be watching the standings to see how her grandson does. “There for a while, she’d only come to the rodeos I had in Rapid City, so she didn’t get to see me a lot,” he said. “By chance, I didn’t do well a couple times, so she got to thinking she was a jinx for a while. So when I won, she was really happy. She was glad to say she wasn’t a jinx anymore.”

ROADWORK

At 25, Eli is on the rodeo trail full time for the first time. While he’s going hard in steer wrestling, he also team ropes. But the team roping takes a backseat to his bulldogging. Both will have him in the all-around standings too. “I’m planning on rodeoing this year,” he said. “I’ve always stayed around home and circuit rodeoed and gone to the big ones that are close. So, this will be my first year to really try and rodeo.” It also helps that Eli’s 12-year-old horse Frances is a good one. “She scores really well, especially for a bulldogging horse, and that was big there because the steers were fresh, so you needed to be able to score,” he said. “She’s super quick-footed across the line and cowy. I’ve gotten along good with her since I bought her. She really fits me.” Frances made the win even more special because of her connection. “The guy I bought my bulldogging horse from is Clay Cowan,” Eli said. “He rodeoed with Levi (Wisness) for a long time. I called Clay and he was happy about it (my win) because I got that buckle on his horse. That means a lot to them too.” Meanwhile, J.B. is also on the road, but not for rodeo. Shoulder problems in recent years had him step away from the sport. Now, he follows it through his sons. “It’s pretty neat to have kids who both rodeo and are having some success,” J.B. said. “But the thing I’mmost proud of is what kind of people they are. More (important) than winning, the person Eli turned out to be – he’ll be the first guy to help you out, he works hard. He deserves

Saddle bronc rider Bradley Harter rode Burch Rodeo’s Maria Bartiromo for 87 points at Rodeo Rapid City. Clay Guardipee photo

Complete results on Page 42

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Bradley Harter............................87 pts. 2. Joey Sonnier III..............................86.5 3. Jake Watson...................................85.5 4. Two tied at .....................................84.5

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Timber Moore........................... 8.6 sec. 2. Stetson Vest.....................................8.7 3. Riley Pruitt........................................8.8 4. Trent Creager....................................9.4

BARREL RACING 1. Kathy Grimes........................ 12.72 sec. 2. Cally Kindred................................12.74 3. Jessica Routier.............................12.76 4. Chris Gibson.................................12.84

BULL RIDING 1. Tanner Bothwell.......................84.5 pts. 2. (tie) Garrett Wickett...........................83 Callum Muller....................................83 Joseph McConnel..............................83

ProRodeo Sports News 2/8/2019

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