ProRodeo Sports News - January 22, 2021

COWBOYS & HORSES

Clay Guardipee photo Boone is an 18-year-old, American Quarter Horse gelding once owned by Trent Johnson, Rhen Richard and Tyler Milligan before Luke Potter bought him in early 2020. Potter credits Boone for helping him win the PRCA | Resistol Tie-down Roping Rookie of the Year title.

Boone carries Potter to successful 2020 Over the Top

FAST FACTS Horse’s name: Boone Horse’s registered name: Mables Little Frank Owner: Luke Potter Previous owners: Tyler Milligan, Rhen Richard, Trent Johnson Age: 18 Sex: Gelding Breed: American Quarter Horse Color: Sorrel Height/Weight: 14.2 hands / 1,300 pounds 2020 Highlights: Potter won the 2020 PRCA | Resistol Tie- down Roping Rookie of the Year award riding Boone. Potter and Boone won the first round of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Qualifier and the Mesquite (Texas) Championship Rodeo.

BY MATT NABER A fter changing

Johnson. Potter and Boone crossed paths again when Potter’s roommate, Tyler Milligan, bought Boone from Rhen Richard. Milligan sold him to Potter in February 2020. “He’s not quirky, but he’s full of energy all the time,” said Potter, 21. “Every time you saddle him up, he’s moving around and he’s kind of a high-feeling horse and just full of energy and excitement.” Potter took Boone for a test run by roping some extra calves at the 2019 National Finals Rodeo. Two months later, Potter and Boone won the first round of their first ProRodeo competition together, stopping the clock in 8.7 seconds at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Qualifier. “I won the first round and was second in the average, and it clicked ever since,” Potter said. “He was definitely the biggest factor, without him I wouldn’t have won half of what I did. He makes it simple for me and I know what he’s going to do every time.” Potter and Boone are hitting the 2021 season with a boost of confidence from their successful 2020 season and have the Wrangler NFR in mind. “I don’t know if he was aware of it during the summer, but now at the house, he acts like he’s top dog,” Potter laughed.

hands from three ProRodeo cowboys, the American Quarter Horse gelding aptly named Boone has been

a boon to his fourth owner’s ProRodeo career. “Without him I wouldn’t be rodeoing,” tie-down roper Luke Potter said. “I would still go to the major rodeos and things like that, but I’d probably just stay home and be more of a circuit rodeo guy. “He’s the main reason I’m trying to make the Finals, because I have enough confidence on him that day in and day out he’s going to give me the best chance to win. I have all the confidence in the world with him in any situation or setup. I’ve never had a horse like that where anywhere I went I didn’t feel like I was at a disadvantage.” With Boone as his mount, Potter picked up checks at 20 ProRodeo competitions during the 2020 season, helping him win the PRCA | Resistol Tie-down Roping Rookie of the Year title with $34,301. “I won all my money nickel-and-diming at little rodeos,” Potter laughed. “Without him, I wouldn’t have won anything, he’s the main part of my success.” When he was a kid, Potter, first saw Boone. At the time, Boone was owned by steer roper Trent

ProRodeo Sports News 1/22/2021

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