ProRodeo Sports News - July 7, 2023

EDITOR’S LETTER TRACY RENCK

A parachutist drops in the arena as part of the Folsom (Calif.) Pro Rodeo grand entry. The rodeo took place from July 1-3 and was part of the lucrative Cowboy Christmas run. Crystal Amen photo

Contestants enjoy record-setting Cowboy Christmas run

T here was no sightings of Santa Claus or Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen or the most famous reindeer of all – Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. However, from June 29 through July 5 it was definitely Christmas in the PRCA. In that time, contestants competed in 35 rodeos in 17 states and two provinces in Canada. The big winner this year was top earner tie-down roper Ty Harris, who earned a Cowboy Christmas record $40,561. When contacted and told by the ProRodeo Sports News that he set the Cowboy Christmas run record for earnings Harris was taken back, but also estatic. Who could blame him. The San Angelo, Texas, native broke the previous Cowboy Christmas record earnings mark of $39,993 by Trevor Brazile, the King of Cowboys, in 2011. On the roughstock side, Sage Newman was the top earner, taking home $36,010. “I’m blessed with this life I live and to be able to go down the road with my buddies,” said Newman, 25. “I drew great horses all week and that’s part of it. I drew wonderful horses that helped me get to the top.” There’s no question Cowboy Christmas can be a rush

The performances by Harris and Newman essentially sealed their trips to the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December in Las Vegas. Harris and Newman weren’t alone in cashing in there 22 cowboys – 13 timed-event competitors and nine roughstock riders – who earned at least $20,000 during Cowboy Christmas. That number – 22 – is amazing for couple of reasons. There was a time not long ago when a cowboy earned $20,000 during Cowboy Christmas that was a hefty haul. If 2023 is any indication $20,000 will be an expected amount to earn during the frantic run. Secondly, applaud all the rodeos and rodeo committees who are part of Cowboy Christmas and are offering high dollar earnings for competitors. Cash like was seen in 2023 during Cowboy Christmas is a win-win for everybody. When large amounts of cash are available it will attract the top cowboys in the PRCA. When they show up fans win because spectators get to see the PRCA’s best cowboys and then rodeos/rodeo committees win because tickets sell out, which puts money back into local communities. Honestly, watching a rodeo on the Fourth of July is a perfect fit. The sport is slice of Americana and why not celebrate it on the nation’s birthday like thousands of fans just did. Luckily for fans of the sport – the PRCA has a calendar

Tracy Renck is the editor of the ProRodeo

Sports News . He previously served more than seven years as a media coordinator at the PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism with the last several consumed by ProRodeo.

for contestants. They mapped out strategies to hit as many rodeos as possible during the 35-rodeo run. As soon as one rodeo ended, they would jump back in the rig and head for the next rodeo with few minutes to spare. The excitement is obvious and becomes euphoric when all the hustle pays off with a huge payday.

full of rodeos until Sept. 30. So, attend if you can or enjoy on The Cowboy Channel or Cowboy Channel Plus App, as the drama unfolds to set the grid for the upcoming NFR.

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ProRodeo Sports News 7/7/2023

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