ProRodeo Sports News - July 24, 2020

COWBOYS & HORSES

Play Time

Brazilian horse has Solomon in hunt Matt Cohen photo Although they didn’t place at the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo in Vernal, Utah, Cory Solomon and his new horse, Play, have combined for a successful 2020 season that’s taken Solomon to No. 5 in the world standings.

T he ProRodeo world knows Brazil the Southern Hemisphere. Solomon is a six-time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo. After a rocky 2019 season, Solomon was fifth in the July 22 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings thanks in part to his new Brazilian horse, Play. Solomon shared his thoughts about his new horse. I got Play at the end of the season last year. It took a couple of months to get him adjusted, and I started competing on him in January. I feel like I was just getting to know him before the shutdown, but we had a good winter run. I bought him unseen. When I got hurt last year, I saw some of his runs on Instagram, and I was stressed about it (buying him), but it was one of the biggest blessings of my life. means business when it comes to rodeo, and tie-down roper Cory Solomon can vouch for the quality of equine stock in

That horse wasn’t even for sale, but he helped me to get a shot at winning the world, and I need to thank him. Getting a horse into the U.S. takes several weeks because of paperwork and bloodwork. Play was in quarantine for 38 days in Brazil and another seven days in the U.S. It was pretty scary since I was just going off a bid onWhatsApp. I didn’t even meet his trainer, Eduardo Peres, until The American semifinals, and by then I’d already competed on him at some big rodeos. Play had just one flaw, he likes to crib,

HORSING AROUND Horse’s name: Play Registered name: Play Peppys JA Origin: Alegria, Brazil Age: 14 Sex: Gelding Color: Bay Sire: Makin’ A Play Dam: Lil Peppys Nurse Owner: Cory Solomon, tie-down roper Trainer: Eduardo Peres, of Mandaguari, Brazil 2020 Big Checks: Fort Worth ($11,200), San Angelo ($5,579), San Antonio ($5,500), Houston ($4,000)

but he won’t do it much if he’s outside. His personality is different. He thinks every horse is his friend, which is scary. He’ll follow them and sniff them. He’s too trustworthy. But, if you go out to catch him and if he sees you, he will walk right up to you. A good friend of mine told me, “You worked hard and rode horses not many people could win on. It’s time for you to get a good horse that will help you win the world.” So, I saved up over the years on horses that weren’t that great, and now I feel like I have my first great horse. He gives me a good chance on big calves, and I’ve never had that. – Compiled by Matt Naber

The way I found Play was I’d become friends with Henrique Merlini, a Brazilian who came to Decatur, Texas, to intern at Outlaw Equine Hospital and Rehab Center. I don’t care who you are or where you’re from, we’re just people, so I hung out with him and it paid off because without him I wouldn’t have been able to buy this horse. He vetted him for me, helped with the quarantine and everything.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/24/2020

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