ProRodeo Sports News - January 26, 2018

Bennett chasing gold buckle at rainbow’s end Bareback rider Caleb Bennett has been to every Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER since 2012, and he’s aiming for lucky No. 7 after winning the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. “I’m going to keep the ball rolling with this big win and carry it through the year and get that gold buckle at the end of the rainbow,” Bennett said. The 29-year-old cowboy has competed at the Denver rodeo every year since 2008, and a decade of perseverance paid off. “It’s a huge blessing,” Bennett said. “A goal of mine was to start the year winning this rodeo. I’ve been to the short round before, but never won it.” Bennett placed second in the first round with 87 points and tied for second in the second round with an 85-point ride to enter the final round already in the lead by 3.5 points.

After a decade of competing in Denver, Caleb Bennett walked away the victor with 256.5 points on three head and a check for $9,765. Greg Westfall photo

second in the average as Denver ended. “I’m having a heck of a winter so far, it’s crazy,” Pearson said after winning $10,331 in Denver. “We drove all night from Fort Worth and got here at 11 a.m. (three hours before the final round started). Now, I’m going home to Oklahoma and then back to Fort Worth. …There’s no slowing down.” HANCHEYWINS RECORD-BREAKINGTIE-DOWN ROPING Tie-down ropers had a record-setting competition at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. Shane Hanchey matched the arena record in the first round, only to have his name taken from the record book by Marty Yates two days later. But Hanchey came out on top in the average, setting the three-head record in the process. “Marty didn’t take all the glory,” Hanchey laughed. On Jan. 18, Hanchey matched Riley Pruitt’s 2016 Denver arena record of 6.9 seconds. Two days later, Yates broke that record with a 6.8-second run. But he didn’t make the final round, which left the average road open for Hanchey. Hanchey, 28, started to realize winning the average was within reach after winning the second round with a 7.4-second run, placing him nearly half a second ahead of the pack going into the final round. “For whatever reason, this rodeo is awesome for me,” the Louisiana cowboy said. “I’ve had good luck here, but no clue why. We go to a lot of rodeos. Some rodeos you feel comfortable backing in there, and this is one of them.” Hanchey smashed the previous three-head average record by more than a full second by clocking in at 23.0 seconds on three. The previous record of 24.1 was shared by Justin Macha (2011) and Justin Maass (2012). “Getting off on the right foot is crucial,” Hanchey said. “If you don’t have confidence, you won’t succeed in this sport or my event.” Hanchey’s 15-year-old American Quarter Horse, Bam Bam, played his part in the win. “He did as good as I could ask for,” Hanchey said. “You know, he’s my favorite horse that I got in the barn, and he makes it easy.” Hanchey’s known for excelling when competition is stiff. He’s the 2013 world champion and has competed at every WNFR since 2010. “I normally take pride in being calm and collected; but I was nervous going in there, watching them go before me,” Hanchey said. “But it was a good kind of nervous and it made me focus on the task at hand.” With a Denver win under his belt, the only thing between Hanchey and his next rodeo were snow-packed roads, as he headed back to Fort Worth, where he’d won the first round in 7.9. “It’ll be hairy getting home, but we’ll take our time,” Hanchey said.

“I just drew three really good horses and that’s half the battle there, but I took advantage of them and made the most of them,” Bennett said. “I felt better on these than I have in a while. I feel healthier, stronger, and I rode better.” In the final round, the Utah cowboy also had the advantage of experience with the bronc he drew, Calgary Stampede’s ShadowWarrior. Bennett had ridden that bronc twice before, most recently at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. “I knew what he was capable of and I knew I had a chance to win this with him under me,” Bennett said. Bennett was fourth in the final round with an 84.5 to win the average with 256.5 on three head – good for a total of $9,765. Bennett’s win in Denver moved him from 17th to fourth in the world standings as of Jan. 22. From there, he hit the road for Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.). ​STEERWRESTLER PEARSONWINS $10,000 Just one month after being crowned 2017World Champion Steer Wrestler, Tyler Pearson won the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in 11.6 seconds on three head. “Oh, man, I drew some really good steers and the horses were great, but I was fortunate because I thought I broke the barrier on the last one,” said Pearson, 32. “After Vegas, you take a deep breath and it’s just go bulldogging and make it fun. It makes it easier.” Pearson wasn’t the only champion in the arena, as he was riding Scooter, the 2017 PRCA/AQHAHorse of the Year whom he co-owns with Kyle Irwin. “He did great,” Pearson said. Although the Mississippi cowboy has won the highest honor in ProRodeo, this was his first time winning Denver. “I’ve been here a bunch and never won this one,” Pearson said, estimating this was his seventh or eighth time competing at Denver. “It’s a good one to put in the buckle case.” Pearson tied for second in the first round with a 3.8-second run and entered the final round second in the average, 0.2 seconds behind leader Taz Olson. “When I drew that steer (for the final round), I knew he was outstanding, so I just had to do my part,” Pearson said. Pearson was doing double time between Denver and the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas, where he was tied for

ProRodeo Sports News 1/26/18

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