ProRodeo Sports News - June 10, 2022

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

Kreece Thompson, 19, grew up around rodeo and the western way of life. Now, as a rookie team roping header, the Munday, Texas, cowboy is looking to make his name known. Thompson’s top finish this season came when he placed second at the Waller County Fair & Rodeo in Hempstead, Texas. He currently sits second in the running for the Resistol Rookie of the Year award with $8,329 earned in 2022.

How did you get your start in rodeo? Kreece: My grandad started roping later in his life and that’s kind of where my dad started. So, my older brothers and I have always been around it. I think I was roping as soon as I could ride a horse and swing a rope. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? Kreece: After my eighth-grade year I started to become a little bit better of a roper. Then in my freshman year of high school it was clear to me if a guy can put in enough time and work at it hard enough, he can make a living doing it. So, it was probably around then when I decided to give it a go. What do you like the most about rodeo? Kreece: For a living we run cows here where we live in Texas. So, I’ve always loved being horseback and doing anything that involves a horse. On top of that, I love to rope really more than anything. Why did you decide team roping would be your event? Kreece: Team roping is really what I grew up doing. To this day my dad still goes to roping events and when I was younger my brothers were always roping. So, it was just something that was already happening in my family and so it was easy for me to get drawn to it. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this year? Kreece: I have two horses right now that I really like, and I’ve gotten to ride them for a long time. Last year we had a good year amateur rodeoing and I felt like I roped pretty good. Everything was setup for me, so I thought it was a good time to try it out and start right now. Who is someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now?

KREECE THOMPSON

Kreece: I’m a header, so I really enjoy watching the guys that have done it for a long time and are good at the sport. I’ve always looked up to Clay Tryan because he’s truly a winner and he’s done it at that level for so long. What’s this season been like for you so far? Kreece: It has been really exciting for me and of course there has been ups and down. It helps that I get to do this with my brothers as well. They rope together and so I get to go everywhere with them. I’m excited to see what the rest of the season brings. What’s one rodeo you want to win in your career? Kreece: My partner Chad (Williams) and I have gotten to rope in Austin (Texas) and Fort Worth this year. After experiencing those rodeos, they would be really cool to win. I also think Cheyenne (Wyo.) would be pretty cool to win someday. I think everybody has that on their bucket list. What is your favorite movie? Kreece: I don’t think I have one favorite movie in particular. I’m a big fan of action and comedies that’s for sure. What’s your favorite candy? Kreece: I would say I probably eat Hershey candy bars more than anything. So, that’s probably my favorite if I had to pick one. What was the first vehicle you drove? Kreece: The first vehicle I drove was probably my middle brother’s 2008 Chevy pickup. It wasn’t mine, but that was the first thing I learned how to drive growing up. What’s your favorite holiday? Kreece: I really Christmas and that time of year because since I was younger my family tries to take a skiing trip to Colorado once a year. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

Kreece: My favorite cartoon was no doubt SpongeBob SquarePants . I watched that show about as much as I watched any TV growing up. If it’s on, I’ll still sit down and watch it to this day. What is your favorite sports team? Kreece: I really like the NFL and football in general. We live two hours from Dallas, but me and my brothers are actually Houston Texans fans.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/10/2022

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