ProRodeo Sports News - June 12, 2020

Photo courtesy Jake Brown

Friends and family pitched in to build a practice arena at Jake Brown’s house.

consecutive NFR due to injury, so he’s hungrier than ever for the Las Vegas lights. “The one thing I can say about this break with this virus stuff is that you become appreciative of it and what you do more than ever,” Tutor said. “I think coming back, everyone has the same mentality to not take it for granted and enjoy every moment, and most of all try their guts out to win.” Tutor finished the 2019 season 19th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings and hit the 2020 winter run at full speed. “I’m the guy who hits my counts at 100 rodeos per year, so it’s game time all the time,” Tutor said. “In the winter, I hit everything I can, and obviously the summer is hand over fist more rodeos, but my game plan is to enter everywhere I can and capitalize on every opportunity.” Luckily, Brown built an opportunity in his backyard. WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT In addition to the chutes, Brown bought four bucking horses from a friend in Centerville, Texas. Brown was familiar with the horses from amateur competitions. “Between the chutes and the horses, I’ve put about $13,000 into it,” Brown said. “I had to build fence too, but I already bought the pipe. … I invested a bit on the horses since I knew what they were and were worth the money. They’re solid as a rock.” Former ProRodeo bareback

So far, Brown has hosted a local high school student at most of their practices. “It’s not something I will just do during the slow time,” Brown said. “As you’ve noticed, June does not look like June usually does. And when fall rolls around, we can all get on and just try to better the sport of rodeo and do it somewhere safe with good stock.” Practice paid off for Tutor, who placed third at Cave Creek (Ariz.) Rodeo Days, the first ProRodeo competition after the COVID-19 shutdown. He scored $1,000 toward the world standings by placing third during the third round of Bracket 3 at the Super Series Finish in Fort Worth, Texas, May 29. He also split the win at theThree Hills Rodeo Xtreme Bronc Buck Out in Baldwin, Iowa, for $2,459 June 6. “I still knew how to get my boots on after three months,” Tutor laughed. “I can’t thank him enough for that opportunity for us to stay tuned up.” Before the mid-March shutdown, Brown was 20th in the world standings and Tutor was close behind at 25th. Now, Brown and Tutor are 19th and 20th, respectively, and plan to continue practicing every Saturday at Brown’s home. “We don’t make anyone do anything fast, and then we all sit around and cook lunch and just make a good time out of it,” Brown said. “It feels like we’re rodeoing, just sitting with your family and friends and sharing rodeo stories.”

rider Lee Cherry and Brown’s father- in-law, Rusty Bradberry, helped with construction and were on site as pickup- men for the practice sessions. “My wife (Nicole) was pretty jacked up about it, she dang sure never said no,” Brown said. “Everyone’s been super supportive.” Cherry brought three of his own horses for a total of seven for practice sessions that involved as many as five cowboys. “My caliber of horses varies, some are really good and some are weaker since what I want to do is help the sport of rodeo by having high school kids come over,” Brown said.

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ProRodeo Sports News 6/12/2020

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