ProRodeo Sports News - June 23, 2022

“So, me getting right into the heat of the rodeo season feeling as good as I do, I’m excited and looking forward to it. I know as long as I can draw the right ones and I feel physically good and ready I can capitalize on about anything and take advantage of it.” There are veterans on the ProRodeo circuit like Bennett who know exactly what to expect when it comes to Cowboy Christmas, but there are also the PRCA rookies like tie down roper Riley Webb, who will take their first swing at the crucial stretch this season. “I’m very excited to get out there and

really at the end of the day you just have to go do the best you can.” The Cowboy Christmas run will no doubt bring

FOURTH OF JULY RUN Rodeos that surround the weekend of Fourth of July, beginning June 27 and ending July 5, will be among this season’s Cowboy Christmas Run. Past top earners: 2021: Tuf Cooper, TD, $31,255 2020: Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, TR, $17,134 each 2019: Stetson Wright, SB, BR, $35,757 2018: Tim O’Connell, BB, $31,014

riches to cowboys all across the country, but it also brings challenges. Contestants must plan for nine days of rodeo in 16 different states and two countries for some. “The biggest thing is mentally you have to be prepared for just about anything,” Bennett said. “Over the years I feel like I’ve just developed or come up with my run. My way of trying to hit rodeos, the days I like to be there, and the way I like to line it up. “Once you’re rodeoing if something doesn’t go right you’ve got to mentally and physically be able to block that out and go onto the next one. You just got to be able to focus on what’s at hand and forget about the past.” But they are more than up for the challenge it presents. “This is where the season starts really. The summer run is huge if you want to accomplish your goals,” Webb said. “I feel good about it, I just have to get out there and do my job every day.”

try it on,” saidWebb, 18. “With it being my first time I will try to keep it simple over the Fourth of July and not wear myself out. I have a couple of rodeos starting the 29th and then I’ll go straight through to the Fourth.” The Denton, Texas, native said while he understands this stretch is key if a cowboy wants to qualify for the NFR he won’t overthink the situation. With hopes of qualifying for his first Finals, he sits just outside the top 20 headed into July. “I’ve never been out there yet. So, I’m just going to do the best I can, that’s all you can do really,” he said. “You just try your best and hopefully it works out. You have to have the mentality that you’re going to go win, but

Kay Miller photo PRCA rookie tie-down roper Riley Webb will be making his Cowboy Christmas debut in 2022. He currently leads the Resistol Rookie of the Year race and is 26th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/24/2022

ProRodeo.com

49