ProRodeo Sports News - January 11, 2019

GRILLE COWBOY

MASON CARTER, 22, of Checotah, Okla., is embarking on going full time on the ProRodeo trail this season. Carter, 5-foot-7, 170 pounds, loves competing in tie-down roping and steer wrestling. He grew up under the watchful eye of his grandfather, ProRodeo Hall of Famer and three-time World Champion Steer Wrestler Roy Duvall (1967, 1969, 1972), who qualified for the Wrangler NFR an event-record 24 times.

WITH TRACY RENCK PSN

How has your rodeo career gone so far since you joined the PRCA in September 2016? Mason: I just went to the (Prairie Circuit) rodeos in 2016, and then in 2017 I tried for rookie of the year in steer wrestling and I ended up second. Last year, I stayed around the house (in Checotah) and didn’t go to that many rodeos. I live with my grandpa Roy Duvall, and I was busy working and training horses. What was your introduction to rodeo like being part of the Duvall family tree?

Mason: I’ve roped since I was a little kid, and I won my first saddle when I was 9 years old. I’ve just kept rodeoing from there. Ever since I was little, I always wanted to bulldog, but my grandpa made we wait and wait because he said I wasn’t big enough. One day, he was gone hauling cattle and Bill, his brother, said today’s the day you steer wrestle. I jumped my first one that day when I was around 14 years old, and I’ve been going ever since. What was it like growing up in the Duvall family? Mason: I love it. It is a whole lot easier because there are so many people around who can tell you how to work through things and fix your mistakes. It helps a lot to be around people who have been there and done that. Riley (Duvall, a two-time qualifying steer wrestler for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo) is my cousin, and we always haze for each other. We’re always in the practice pen together, helping each other out. What are your rodeo plans for 2019? Mason: I’m just going to keep on entering and do the best I can do. I will be competing in Fort Worth (Texas) and Denver and Rapid City (S.D.). I’m going to go hard and rope calves this year. I’m also going to compete in all the (Prairie) circuit rodeos and bigger rodeos in steer wrestling. What is your favorite event: tie-down roping or steer wrestling? Mason: I like bulldogging just as much as I like tie-down roping, but tie-down roping suits me a whole lot better because I’m a little smaller. I think I can bulldog with any of the guys, but I know I can rope with all of them. What was it like winning the qualifier in tie-down roping for the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver last month with an 18.0-second time on two head? Mason: That was a blast. I made a good run both days and it paid off. What horses are you using? Mason: I have a horse named Star for tie-down roping. He is 16 years old, and I’ve had him for 10 years. He’s amazing. I love him. My steer wrestling horse is King 2. He’s still good, but he’s getting a little older, he’s 24. My grandpa ran his last steer on that horse in 2007. What’s your favorite movie? Mason: Lonesome Dove . I love Westerns. There’s no telling how many times I’ve watched Lonesome Dove . My favorite TV show is Pigman . It’s about hog hunting, and I love hog hunting. What do you do when you are not rodeoing? Mason: I’m riding horses, working cows, feeding cows, catching cows for people. I’m always doing something. I’m always busy. I have plenty of stuff to do and when I run out of stuff to do, my grandpa finds me something to do. Do you have a favorite sports team? Mason : OU (University of Oklahoma) football. I watched them all the time (this past season). I figured they would have beat Alabama and advanced to the finals, but they came up a little short. What’s the last concert you attended? Mason: I saw Willie Nelson in Houston, I think it was two years ago. I thought it was a blast. The crowd was packed. It was insane. I loved his show. Who is your favorite musical artist? Mason: Kid Rock. I like so many of his songs, but “Cowboy” is my favorite. What do you do to pass time going down the road? Mason: We play (the card game) Pitch. I’m pretty good, especially if I get a good partner. My grandpa is a pretty good partner, but he always takes too big of a chance and I’m usually not ready for that. Where’s your go-to place to go eat? Mason: Texas Roadhouse. I get the steak and shrimp. Are you a dessert guy? Mason: Yes. I love chocolate cake. MASON CARTER

ProRodeo Sports News 1/11/2019

ProRodeo.com

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