ProRodeo Sports News - January 25, 2019

New Scene Matthew Smith switches circuits, strikes gold BY MATT NABER A change of scenery landed Matthew Smith gold again. The Saraland, Ala., bareback rider who won the RAM Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2010 and 2012 amid nine trips there, wanted to win a different circuit finals rodeo. Instead of heading west like many cowboys do for rodeo can’t explain it, but all the greats have been there and done that.” Smith lives outside the First Frontier Circuit’s region, which made qualifying for the circuit finals difficult. “It took a lot to go up there to rodeo and get the circuit count,” Smith said. “They don’t have a lot of rodeos there.” This was Smith’s first year competing outside of the Southeastern Circuit.

After winning the RAM Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo twice (2010 and 2012), Matthew success again by winning the RAM First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo. Casey Martin photo Smith found

“I went to that (Southeastern Circuit’s) finals nine times, so I ventured out to see new things,” Smith said. “To win the circuit and get another chance at the RAM Finals at Kissimmee means a lot, that’s a game-changer with a lot of money to be won.” Smith worked with hunter jumper horses with his friends Cliff Schadt and Candice King while competing away from home. “There are a lot of good guys up there riding, but they don’t venture out,” Smith said. “You don’t hear their names out west

success, he headed northeast for the 2018 season after hearing from Florida saddle bronc rider Joe Farren that the First Frontier Circuit was a fun place to compete. “They’re really good rodeos, but at the First Frontier some of their rodeos have that old-school feel to it with wooden bucking chutes,” said Smith, 31. “I would compare the old Arcadia (Fla.) rodeo’s arena and the feel of it when a guy shows up there. You

TOPS AT HARRISBURG — Jan. 10-12

ALL-AROUND COWBOY John Leinaweaver $8,502

BAREBACK RIDING 1. Matthew Smith ......... 241 pts. on three 2. Tim Kent ........................................ 236 3. Dalton Jones ..................... 138 on two No other qualified rides

STEER WRESTLING 1. John Leinaweaver ... 15.6 sec. on three 2. A.J. Williams ................................ 17.2 3. Tom Farrelly .................................. 21.7 4. Mike Cliver II .................... 11.3 on two

TEAM ROPING 1. E.Fabian/J.Edwards ..17.3 sec. on three 2. D. Morgan/D. Carey ...................... 23.4 3. K. Letzelter/C. Cox ........................ 25.3 4. R. Toth/S. Quinn ........................... 27.9

bull riding and steer wrestling

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ProRodeo Sports News 1/25/19