ProRodeo Sports News - Jan. 6, 2023

RED BLUFF, CALIF.

CALIFORNIA CIRCUIT FINALS RODEO

A Big Win

Tucker Allen eyes bigger goals after California win BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News T ucker Allen is a horseback rider, and sometimes he plays one on TV. Working on a ranch and training horses, Allen remains comfortable in the saddle. So, as a side hustle, he performs stunt work for TV shows. He appeared on the drama series “1883,” starring TimMcGraw, Faith Hill and Sam Elliott. “Yeah, I got killed in that one,” Allen said. “They tell you exactly the spot to ride to, and get killed and fall off the horse. I am nothing in that world. Once in a while, I get work there, and I take it. It’s fun. I love it. I kind of get the same adrenaline rush I get from steer wrestling.” That is Allen’s occupation of choice. With his career continuing to rise, Allen played a starring role at the RAMCalifornia Circuit Finals Rodeo in Red Bluff, Calif., winning the steer wrestling title with a time of 12.3 seconds on three head. Allen followed a linear path to success, winning the first round in 4.2 seconds, the second in 3.7, allowing for a clear head in the final go as he clinched the title riding Sterling Lambert’s horse as Lambert hazed him. “That was a big reason it went so well,” said Allen, who pocketed $6,976 for his performance. “The first steer I knew was pretty good because we actually jackpotted on the cattle the day of the event. I tried to keep it simple. When I got to the last round, I knew there had not been much luck with that steer – the scores (were) around 10. But it had potential. I had to get a better start. And it worked out. It was an awesome environment, pretty electric. They packed the stands.” What unfolded was another step forward in Allen’s career. Allen, 23, has been steadily making progress in a professional career which began in earnest in 2017. The Oak View, Calif., native – he lives about 90 miles west of Los Angeles in Ventura County – earned $39,517 in 2021 and in 2022 won the Glennville (Calif.) Round-Up Rodeo and was a co-champion at the Poway (Calif.) Rodeo. This season represents an opportunity to realize every cowboy’s dream – the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. “I am ready to be there. That’s the goal, and I am really working at it. Last year I gave myself a chance, my best chance so far. And winning this event should help. I am not changing much schedule wise, just going to the same good rodeos,” Allen said. “The key is don’t back off the barrier. Luke Branquinho (a five-time world champion and 14-time NFR qualifier) taught me how to bulldog, and if I can stay aggressive that is the kind of mindset that will help me win and get me to where I want to go.” Commitment and discipline are needed to excel in this sport, as the cowboys navigate a gypsy lifestyle. Allen embraces it, a challenge made more feasible with the road company of fellow steer wrestlers Justin Shaffer, Bridger Anderson, Cody Harmon and Taite Stickler. “The thing I like most about rodeo is the travel, seeing new places and getting to compete every day. No matter what happens, there’s always another rodeo,” Allen said. “And having a group of us together, we have a good time. We are always messing with each other. That’s honestly one of the best parts, the brotherhood of being together for several months and pushing each other to get better.”

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Reed Neely ($8,391, saddle bronc riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Neely

1. Clayton Biglow................... 256.5 pts. 2. Jacek Frost. .............................. 250.5 3. R.C. Landingham......................... 248 STEER WRESTLING 1. Tucker Allen.................12.3 sec. on 3 2. Levi Rudd. .................................. 13.2 3. Stan Branco................................ 14.0 TEAM ROPING 1. Williams Jr./Hampton 20.7 sec. on 3 2. T. Kent/J. Shawnego . ................ 23.8 3. L. Lowry/J. Bourdet .................. 24.2 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Reed Neely................. 242.5 pts. on 3 2. Bailey Small................................. 219 3. Caden Grisedale........................... 214 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Brushton Minton..........30.6 sec. on 3 2. Edward Boltares.......................... 32.6 3. Colton Farquer............................ 36.1 BARREL RACING 1. Nellie Miller................41.17 sec. on 3 2. Payton Schoeppach.................. 41.82 3. Meghann McNulty..................... 45.57 BULL RIDING 1. Cody Russell................ 83.5 pts. on 1 2. Jesse Flores................................ 79.5 3. Conner McClure............................. 79

Complete results/Page 44

Crystal Amen photo Steer wrestler Tucker Allen won the average with a 12.3-second time on three head at the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo in Red Bluff.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/6/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 1/6/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

36

37