ProRodeo Sports News - July 8, 2022

WORLD’S OLDEST RODEO

PRESCOTT, ARIZ.

Timmy Sparing proving he belongs in the PRCA Rewarded BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News T immy Sparing did not grow up in a rodeo family. He fell in love with the sport organically, first as a child dressing up as a cowboy, then picking up steer wrestling at age 17 after learning to ride a horse from a family friend. Sixteen years and multiple injuries later, Sparing has been rewarded for refusing to give up his dream. The 33-year-old steer wrestler TOP SCORES Driggers

Nogueira

TOP MONEY WINNER Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira

continued his hot streak at the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott, Ariz., recently, posting a total two-head winning time of 10.6 seconds to net a purse of $3,863. “That first run there, not knowing what to expect, the key was getting out of the barrier. They run a little farther there,” said Sparing, a Helena, Mont., native. “I had a good run and then I placed in round two. It’s about staying business-like and consistent. It was a great rodeo. The crowd was awesome.” There was a time a few years ago, Sparing wondered if he had a future in the sport. He suffered a disc injury in his back – “I didn’t know if I would be bulldogging again,’ he admitted -- and then tore his pectoral muscle. Patience replaced movement as he slowly regained his health. “It was a battle. The disc in the back was pretty upsetting. I had taken five epidural shots and it was a long process to get that under control,” Sparing explained. “It’s a lifelong injury that is something that I have to manage through. It’s a lot of working out and stretching. I just kept my head down.” Dealing with physical adversity has sharpened Sparing’s mental approach. He is not big by steer wrestling standards – 6-foot-2, 185 pounds – meaning brain over brawn comes into play. “I am tall, but I don’t have a lot of weight behind me. I rely on technique,” Sparing said. “Of course, power is huge for the event. But the mental game is something that sometimes gets overlooked. Battling through those injuries has made me stronger mentally, and it’s paying off.” Sparing is living through chaotic joy as he chases his first-ever NFR appearance. He is building a house, will marry fiancé Danielle Wright in October, and until recently, worked a fulltime construction job between events. “It’s been a hell of a year,” Sparing said with a laugh. “It was a juggling act with the job. But they are letting me take time off. It’s been busy. My motto has pretty much been ‘No Days Off.’” Sparing’s rebound began in earnest in January. He won the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals. That qualified him for the NFR Open powered by RAM held in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 13-16. “That was huge. It was definitely on my bucket list of goals,” Sparing said. “I wasn’t planning on rodeoing all year, but everything started to fall into place.” Sparing is grateful and motivated. He might have joined the sport later than most, but his passion remains unrivaled. “It’s definitely a dream come true. My family saw me running around as a cowboy at family functions when I was little and now, they get to watch me on TV living it out,” Sparing said. “My friends, my family, they have been so supportive along with my fiancé. She’s the rock. I could have never done this without all their help.”

($7,554, team roping) BAREBACK RIDING

1. Tim O’Connell ..................... 87.5 pts. 2. Lane McGehee .............................. 86 (Tie) Jess Pope ............................. 86 STEER WRESTLING 1. Timmy Sparing ........... 10.6 sec. on 2 2. Will Lummus ............................. 11.0 3. Bridger Chambers ...................... 11.9 TEAM ROPING 1. Driggers/Nogueira ...... 12.9 sec. on 2 2. Aguilera/Payne ........................... 13.2 3. Blackmore/Campbell .................. 13.6 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Tanner Butner ..................... 86.5 pts. 2. Chase Brooks ............................... 86 3. Cash Wilson .............................. 85.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Richard Newton .......... 20.5 sec. on 2 2. Seth Hall .................................... 21.2 3. Colton Farquer ........................... 21.9 BARREL RACING 1. Cheyenne Hattesen ... 34.83 sec. on 2 (Tie) Halyn Lide ........................... 34.83 3. Casey Mathis ........................... 35.03 BULL RIDING 1. Canyon Bass .......................... 86 pts. 2. Levi Gray ................................... 85.5 3. Ouncie Mitchell ............................. 81 (Tie) Lukasey Morris ..................... 81

COWBOY CHRISTMAS Complete results/Page 80

Robert Rosales photo

Steer Wrestler Timmy Sparing won the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott, Ariz., with a 10.6-second time on two head.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/8/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 7/8/2022

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