ProRodeo Sports News - July 7, 2023

PRCA RODEO ROUNDUP

BY BRADY RENCK & JOLEE JORDAN

Veteran bareback rider Tim O’Connell had an 86-point ride on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Texas Tough to capture the crown at the Mandan (N.D.) Rodeo Days on July 4. The win was part of a strong Cowboy Christmas for the three-time PRCA World Champion. Jackie Jensen photo halfway through the ride, I knew this wasn’t about a check anymore, it was about a chance to win the rodeo. The more I went, the more he went. It was just super cool.” The environment made it resonate. Despite the cold weather, the Fourth of July holiday brought out the best. “It was so much fun. It was a jam-packed arena,” O’Connell, 31, said. “We were all having a good time.” Sometimes all the lights stay green on the way to work. And your computer decides to relent on error messages without a CTRL-ALT-DEL. Bareback rider Tim O’Connell found himself in this situation at the Mandan Rodeo Days in Mandan, N.D. It was his first time in Mandan in a long time, and he kept modest goals after drawing Macza Pro Rodeo’s Texas Tough. He didn’t know the horse. But sometimes, everything just falls into place. O’Connell delivered an 86-point ride at Dacotah Centennial Park, edging Cole Reiner (85) for the title. “It was a former saddle bronc horse. And it just exceeded expectations. He jumped and kicked as hard as he could. He gave me a chance to show off,” said O’Connell, a three-time world champion. “He really responded to my spurs. And about MANDAN RODEO DAYS MANDAN, N.D. Tim O’Connell nabs victory in Mandan

HOME OF CHAMPIONS RODEO RED LODGE, MONT. Versatile Luke Gee takes top honors in Red Lodge

BLACK HILLS ROUNDUP BELLE FOURCHE, S.D Steer wrestler Ravenscroft captures Belle Fourche

Luke Gee is looking to add a unique circuit title to his already stacked resume. The all-around cowboy regularly qualifies in two events to the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo, and he does it in a more unusual combination of events than many of his competitors: steer wrestling and bull riding. It was in the former that the Stanford, Mont., cowboy shined over the Fourth of July, claiming a huge win at the Home of Champions Rodeo in Red Lodge, Mont. Gee turfed his steer in a blistering 3.7 seconds to earn $3,496, nearly tripling his season earnings to date in one run. With the Montana Circuit season just getting underway, the win gives Gee an early lead.

“I have two circuit titles in the bull riding and one in the all-around,” Gee, 32, said. “I guess I need to try to get a steer wrestling one.” Gee kept his Cowboy Christmas closer to home with just the two Montana rodeos and the Ponoka Stampede on his agenda. For the win in Red Lodge, he rode his horse BA, a son of the great Prime Talent that came from Brian Anderson. “He has turned out really nice,” Gee said. His original draw was sulking in the chutes, leaving Gee with the extra steer, one he knew nothing about. “I didn’t know what he was, but we got out there and had a good start,” he said. With hauling partner Brady Boyce hazing, he was able to make the only sub-four second run of the rodeo. “He ended up being good.”

Steer wrestling takes toughness, skill, and speed. Plenty of speed. Tyler Ravenscroft knew he needed a blurry, fast time at the Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche, S.D. He took advantage of a re-draw to gain knowledge and perspective. And it paid off. The 22-year-old bested the competition, clocking a 4.2-second run at the local complex, edging out Justin Dahl, Joe Nelson, and Don Payne, who all came in at 4.3 seconds. “Being able to watch helped. And I had to get off to a fast start. If I got the fast start, it was up to me to do my job,” Ravenscroft said. “It was my first time there, and it was a great event.” Ravenscroft is starting to gain traction in his career with a boost

from the Cowboy Christmas.

The Nenzel, Neb., native finished second at the Mandan (N.D.) Rodeo Days with a 4.2-second time, followed by a fourth-place showing at the Killdeer (N.D.) Mountain Roundup PRCA Rodeo. “The week started slowly, then we got the ball rolling in Belle Fourche. It’s my first time

Ravenscroft

COWBOY CHRISTMAS

at a lot of events this year,” Ravenscroft said. “This is a good life. I can’t imagine doing anything else. You get to see all of the country and do it with your friends.”

ProRodeo Sports News 7/7/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 7/7/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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