ProRodeo Sports News - June 21, 2024

from October 1 until June 1, and then I go the 30,000 to 40,000 miles from June 1 until October 1…Those miles really do have a wear and a tear.” ROLES IN THE RIG At the beginning of the season, Hawkins and Yeahquo sat down and determined their rodeo calendar for the upcoming campaign. First, they marked their favorite rodeos with big payouts and great crowds. Second, they identified spots between stops to get the most bang for their buck. Finally, they looped Playoff Series Rodeos and scheduled circuit dates. Hawkins, a 37-year-old six-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, assumes the bulk of the planning for the first year team. “It’s nice because Buddy is always on top of it,” Yeahquo said. “He keeps me up to date with all of it, so it’s nice to be able to get in the rig and go…It’s awesome because I’m not much of a talker, but both partners I’ve ever had are both talkers.” Yeahquo, a 23-year-old in his third year of PRORODEO, brings youthful excitement to break up the monotony of a grueling travel schedule. “J.C. is not really intimidated by any drives or any competition,” Hawkins said. “I’m not saying that any of my partners have been intimidated. But with the more aggressive style that a lot of guys come out here with when they are younger, we’re putting ourselves at a few more rodeos than I have the last few years with a few more miles. “We’re also going to the more difficult, more challenging setups, where the competition is a bit stiffer. I think that’s really where my guy (J.C.) shines and thrives.” FAMILY FIRST Hawkins rolled into Vernal, Utah, with his wife Tori, two-year-old daughter Anne and 10-month-old son John after spending time on a property he owns outside of the Denver area. The Stephenville, Texas, cowboy admitted bringing his family along for the ride sometimes poses logistical challenges, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I think faith and family are one and the same,” Hawkins said. “But there’s no competition between that and what we do for a living or for fun. If it comes down to running steers or playing golf, it’s an easy practice day. When it comes to family and work, I could walk away from this forever with my family and not miss a thing. But we have a ton of fun out here, and a lot of these people are my family.” After the trip from Vernal to Evergreen, Tori and the kids decided to skip Saturday’s haul, which featured a 1:30 p.m. performance in Grover, Colo., and a 7:30 p.m. go-round in North Platte, Neb. Buddy missed having the entire Hawkins crew in the truck for the long drive across the flatland, but the kids needed rest. So, he buttoned up the rig as soon as he trotted out of the arena and hit the road. CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

“We’re averaging 1,000 miles a week throughout the year. But the big deal is that I only maybe go 15,000 to 20,000 miles from October 1 until June 1, and then I go the 30,000 to 40,000 miles from June 1 until Oc tober 1…Those miles really do have a wear and a tear.” – BUDDY HAWKINS “I’ve got a good friend that’s going to help me out this summer driving a little bit. Buddy and I will go in the rig to a couple of places, too. So, it’ll be pretty nice. It wouldn’t be as fun if I was going alone.” – J.C. YEAHQUO

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ProRodeo Sports News 6/21/2024

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