ProRodeo Sports News - June 15, 2018

SISTERS RODEO

let you win,” Bates said. “The horse is fast and has a lot of run, but he’s super cowy.” Before Sisters, Kuttler was 35th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings for team roping and Bates was 45th. As of June 12, Kuttler was sitting at 21st with $20,332 and Bates was 27th with $18,030. “The past few weeks have made it to where we really thought if we had $20,000 before Reno we could make it to the Finals,” Kuttler said. “I know it’s a longshot, but it’s at least a shot.” This is their first season roping together, and it’s set to be a good one. Kuttler joined the PRCA in 2011, and 2016 was his best year when he ranked 58th with $20,331. For Bates, 2009 was his best year since starting in 2004. In 2009, Bates ranked 23rd with $40,330. “We’re going to go full steam ahead,” Kuttler said. “We’re entered everywhere over the Fourth of July. We’ll see what happens – hopefully we’ll be in (the NFR) in December.” The run has been unlike any other for the pair. “The timing is really good, and this is the most momentum I’ve had going into Reno,” Bates said. “Confidence-wise it’s good, and the momentum and the vibe is super positive going into Reno and the Fourth of July. We’re excited about it.” The season didn’t start out well for Kuttler and Bates. “We had a rough winter, but we stuck it out,” Bates said. “He’s a close friend of mine and he’s super motived. We went for it and stuck it out, and now we’re having some success.” Kuttler agreed with Bates about the winter season and shared his outlook on the road ahead. “Earlier in the winter, I didn’t rope very good, and then in the spring we got on a roll,” Kuttler said. “As long as I turn the steers for Brandon we’ll be all right, but we will have to pick and choose which rodeos we go to because we went to quite a few in the winter.” They’ve been to 35 rodeos this season. Fortunately, the decision on where to go is easy. “We will go to all the bigger ones,” Kuttler said, listing off Cheyenne, Wyo., Salinas, Calif., Cody, Wyo., and Red Lodge, Mont. Bates said he’s looking forward to competing at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 11-14. “We needed a good weekend to get in, and now we are able to go and that’s exciting,” Bates said. Rodeo success runs in the family for the Californian Bates. His father is Ben Bates, a two-time NFR qualifier in steer wrestling (1968 and 1970) who also was a former president of the California Junior Rodeo Association and a famous stuntman and actor on shows such as “Gunsmoke.” “The words to say about that man wouldn’t justify what he means to me and the sport,” Bates said. “He was a man among men and he passed away October 4. It stoked a fire under me. He’s been the biggest thing in my career and my life. He stood behind me the whole time. I’ve got a sister who is super talented, as well, and I feel (with) the years he gave and devoted to us as kids, we need to apply and make it mean something. He always wanted me to make the FAMILYAFFAIR

NFR and I never just tried to make it. This year I decided I’m going to do it and hope to stick a back number against the wall next to his.” Kuttler also grew up in a rodeo family in Montana. His dad, R.D., was a bareback rider and his mom, Cindy, is a rodeo secretary. When he’s not on the road, Kuttler works as a farrier and sells horses with his wife, Shyanne, while they raise their daughter, Kimber, who turns 2 June 29. Like his roping partner, Bates is also involved in breeding and selling horses with his fiancée, Erin King, and their daughters, Madison, 12, and Brooklyn, 7. “We feel like we’re in a good spot and have a chance with what we worked for and strived for in the winter and spring, and it gives momentum going into the summer,” Bates said. “We know the Finals are made in the summer, not the winter, and to have the momentum is a blessing.”

Dalan Duncan’s 87.5-point ride on Four Star Rodeo’s Hooey tied for first at Sisters with Ty

Wallace and Riker Carter.

Bill Lawless photo

Complete results on Page 71

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Ryder Wright ............................ 88 pts. 2. Layton Green ................................... 84 3. Three tied at .................................... 82

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Ryle Smith ................. 19.0 sec. on two 2. Rhen Richard ................................ 19.6 3. Timber Moore ............................... 20.0 4. Dane Kissack ................................ 20.1

BARREL RACING 1. Teri Bangart ........................ 17.63 sec. 2. Jessie Telford ............................. 17.68 3. K.L. Spratt .................................. 17.71 4. Cheyenne Allan ........................... 17.73

BULL RIDING 1. (tie) Ty Wallace ...................... 87.5 pts. Dalan Duncan ............................... 87.5 Riker Carter .................................. 87.5 4. Two tied at .................................... 84.5

ProRodeo Sports News 6/15/2018

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