ProRodeo Sports News July 9, 2021

Cress’ familiarity with bronc earns him Pecos victory

BY JOLEE JORDAN Special to ProRodeo Sports News B rody Cress can’t imagine doing anything else but being a PRCA saddle bronc rider. “My brother and I were always playing with my dad’s saddle, and I remember hanging out with him on the back of the chutes in Cheyenne,” Cress said of following in his father Tommy’s footsteps as a youngster. He and brother Blaze, along with a close friend, hit the rodeo road as soon as they could, and Cress has followed it to four National Finals Rodeos and two PRCA reserve world championships. “I’ve always loved it,” said Cress, 25. “It’s great to have a job that gives you the freedom to travel the country, see new places and be able to make a good living.” Cress contributed to his bottom line during the West of the Pecos Rodeo. Partnering with Macza Rodeo’s OLS Tubs Get Smart, the 2019 Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year, Cress had an 89-point ride that clinched the victory and a big payday of $4,061. It wasn’t Cress’ first dance with Get Smart, nor his first victory earned

TEAM ROPERS SUMMERS/ASHFORD WIN PECOS Team ropers Clint Summers/Ross Ashford are hoping their lucrative payoff in Pecos is a springboard to the Wrangler NFR. Summers jumped to 14th in the heading standings following the team’s share of the win in Pecos while Ashford moved to 16th on the heeling side. TIE-DOWN ROPER GIBSON ENJOYS HOME COOKIN’ Tie-down roper Charlie Gibson is at his best when rodeoing close to home. Gibson shared the win in Pecos with Rhen Richard and lives 100 miles up the interstate in Midland, Texas. He also won the rodeo in Big Spring the week before Pecos; Big Spring is even closer at 40 miles away.

aboard the superstar equine athlete who has more Wrangler NFR’s on his résumé than Cress. The pair last crossed paths in Gooding, Idaho, in September when they combined for an 87-point ride. “He’s been an outstanding horse for a long time,” Cress said. “We’ve voted himHorse of the Year for good reason ... he’s bucky and always a challenge.” “But, if you show up and do your job, he always gives you a chance to win.” After winning in Pecos aboard one of ProRodeo’s best horses, Cress was looking forward to a date with a couple of other Wrangler NFR horses during Cowboy Christmas. “I’ve got Look Again of Powder River’s at Belle Fourche. I’ve been wanting to get on that horse for a while and she likes that pen in Belle,” he said. “Then I’ve got Cash Deal of Dakota’s at Mandan. Like Get Smart, that horse gets it on. But he dang sure gives you a chance to win money if you do your job.” After nearly winning PRCA world championships in two of the last four seasons, Cress is looking for gold, but his approach is not on the big goal at the end of the season. “I think everybody out here wants to be a world champion,” Cress said. “I look at my goals a bit differently. I work on short-term goals and try to focus on being in the process. “That means doing things like working out every day. Working on consistency. Taking it one horse at a time. Achieving all those little goals builds up to the bigger goals in the long run.” Cress keeps that plan in motion even as he and hauling partners Shorty Garrett and Isaac Diaz got ready for the busy Fourth of July run. Despite the upcoming long hours in the truck with so many rodeos happening, Cress was thankful. “It’s awesome to have a full schedule again so we’re not complaining,” he said.

Robby Freeman photo

ProRodeo Sports News 7/9/2021

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