ProRodeo Sports News - July 22, 2022

CALGARY STAMPEDE CALGARY, ALBERTA

Covy Moore photo Reigning PRCA World Champion Tie-Down Roper Caleb Smidt continued his torrid winning streak by claiming the crown in Calgary. World champ Smidt shines again

It’s only been about a month since the Reno Rodeo. But when that month includes all the lucrative rodeos scheduled around the Fourth of July, followed by the massive Calgary Stampede, well … let’s just say a lot can change in that time. For proof, look no further than Caleb Smidt. The three-time world champion tie-down roper now sits third in the PRCA/RAMWorld Standings. That was not the case a month ago. “I started at Reno with about $26,000, a long way behind,” said Smidt, who’s now at a hefty $123,996. “It’s probably the best summer I’ve ever had. In 2019, I won a bunch, but I don’t think I won this much. “I’ve just been blessed to rope a lot, my horse has been good, and it’s all been working.” It worked best at the Stampede, which ran from July 8-17. Smidt led all ropers in the pool rounds, raking in $17,000 en route to the semifinals, where he split second and third with Zach Jongbloed, behind only Haven Meged. So, Smidt advanced to the four-cowboy Showdown round, along with Meged, Jongbloed and Cory Solomon. First up in the Showdown was Solomon, followed by Jongbloed, and both unfortunately had no times, which certainly took some heat offMeged and Smidt, who went third. “To win second, all I had to do was catch. And it’s not that hard up

there. It’s one of the easier set-ups,” Smidt said, while noting he still had a little trouble, though he clocked in at 7.5 seconds. “Usually, 7.5 in the final four isn’t gonna win it. I was 7.3 in 2019 and barely won it. But Haven didn’t have the best calf, and he took an extra swing.” Although Meged ultimately got the calf looped and tied down, he finished in 22.5 seconds, meaning Smith’s 7.5 easily held up for the hefty $50,000 first-place check. Half of that counted towardWrangler NFR qualifying, along with 70 percent of the $17,000 Smidt won in the pool rounds. So, Calgary boosted Smidt’s season bankroll by about $37,000. “It’s just a great rodeo,” said Smidt, the reigning world champion in tie down roping. “Calgary has always got some pretty decent calves, and always the best ropers in the world. It’s actually a fun, relaxing place. This is one of the best rodeos we get to go to.” Thanks to his big payday – and more so just a big month – Smidt can pretty much book his trip to Las Vegas for December. “It’s definitely good. I’ve got the NFR made. A lot of pressure is off for me and for my horse. We can just ease around and go to the big rodeos,” Smidt said, while pointing out what it will take to successfully defend his 2021 championship. “It’s gonna take a good 10 days in Vegas. Once you get there, it’s anybody’s chance.”

ProRodeo Sports News 7/22/2022

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