ProRodeo Sports News - June 23, 2023

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How did you get your start in rodeo? Clay: I’m a fifth-generation cowboy. My grandpa, my uncles, and my dad they all rodeoed and competed in their circuits. So, it was really just a family tradition for me to rodeo as well. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? Clay: My senior year of high school I went to a couple of circuit rodeos, but mainly amateur rodeoed. That year I won the National High School Finals heeling and that’s when I thought maybe I should actually pursue this. What do you like most about rodeo? Clay: I really love the competitiveness and camaraderie of it all. It’s not just a sport, it’s a way of life for most guys. Why did you decide team roping would be your event? Clay: My family was all steer wrestlers and I do a little bit of it as well. I had always roped calves and steer wrestled and team roped. The heeling was always my best event though, so that’s what I’ve always done since I turned pro. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this year? Clay Clayman, 20, has had his sights set on competing in ProRodeo since he was a kid. The Highlandville, Mo., all-around cowboy is making the most of that opportunity in his Resistol Rookie season. Clayman competes in both team roping and steer wrestling. In May, he captured the American Royal Rodeo team roping title and as of June 20 leads all team roping heelers in the race for the Rookie of the Year title with $22,128 earned in 2023.

CLAY CLAYMAN

Clay: I didn’t go to college, so I only had two years on my permit. More than anything it had to do with winning my circuit last year. I get to go to Colorado Springs (Colo.) for the NFR Open (July 11 15). So, I wanted to have my card in case we win a lot of money there. Who’s someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? Clay: I really look up to my family members. They were pretty much rodeoing full time and then working 40 hours a week on top of that providing for their families. What’s one rodeo you want to win in your career?

Clay: Winning the National Circuit Finals (NFR Open) has always been one for me because my family has always been there. It’s an event that only so many guys get to go to, and you have to dedicate yourself to it all year long. What have you learned during your rookie season? Clay: I learned a lot this year. It’s the first year that I’ve rodeoed full time. I’ve learned you have to take the ups and downs for what they are. You have to be ready to win first every time they draw you the right steer. What’s your favorite movie? Clay: My favorite movie would probably have to be The Rookie , I’m a baseball fan. Do you have a favorite sports team? Clay: I’m a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs.

What’s your favorite candy? Clay: I’d probably have to go with sour SweetTarts, they are pretty darn good. What was the make and model of the first vehicle you drove? Clay: I drove a 2004 3500 Dodge dually for a while.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not rodeoing? Clay: My grandpa, uncle and I operate a ranch back in Missouri. We ride a lot of colts on the side as well. So, it’s pretty much cowboying 24/7 for us. What’s your favorite holiday?

Clay: I think my favorite holiday would probably have to be Thanksgiving. We’ve always had big get togethers for Thanksgiving. It gives us a chance to really be thankful for all of the blessings in our lives. What was your favorite cartoon growing up? Clay: This is going to be an interesting one, but I have a sister that’s two years older than me, and we watched a lot of Dora the Explorer back in the day. So, I’ll probably have to go with that. What type of music do you like listening to? Clay: My go to would probably have to be country music, but I’ll listen to pretty much anything that’s playing.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/23/2023

ProRodeo.com

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