ProRodeo Sports News - June 23, 2023

$32,293 in 2016. “I remember it like it was yesterday,” Hanchey, 33, chuckled. The week was highlighted by the second of his three titles at the Ponoka (Alberta) Stampede. “It was one of those ‘meant to be’ weeks,” Hanchey said. This year, the 2013 world champion has another packed schedule including a stop in Ponoka, the largest purse of the week. “It’s one of my favorite rodeos of the year, let alone the Fourth,” he said. Hanchey has almost a dozen rodeos planned, and Ponoka is about the only one that will require an airplane ride. Just getting entered is often half the battle of having a good Fourth. “Honestly, this has been one of the best Fourths as far as entering,” Hanchey said. “I try to prioritize the (Playoff Series) rodeos and we’ll be able to get to all of them and then work in the others.” “Most people can clearly see the line of how to work everything but when you don’t get your preferences, it gets muddled up,” three-time world champion bareback rider Tim O’Connell, 31, agreed. “That’s what makes the Fourth so chaotic.” Case in point for O’Connell – who took home more than $20,000 in Cowboy Christmas earnings in 2022 – one year he worked nine rodeos in two days while another he was only able to get to a handful. This year, he’ll be going back to Ponoka for the first time in several years thanks to a good draw. “I’m excited to kick the Fourth off there,” he said. “We try to go where

the best chances to win a lot of money are.” O’Connell, like other roughstock competitors, also has to consider the stock he and his hauling partners are drawing. “We look to make sure we’re working more than one a day,” he said. “We’ve got three in the rig, so we want everyone to have a chance to win something every day.” No one has had a better Fourth in a single event than two-time and reigning world champion team ropers Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira did a year ago. They earned $35,152 in eight rodeos to beat Hanchey’s record. “We try to do the best we can every single run,” said Nogueira, 32. “We’re not trying to break records, just trying to get the NFR wrapped up.” The duo has a busy Fourth planned out with two rigs going different directions to maximize their opportunities in 2023. “We’re a little bit behind, so we’re trying to catch up,” Nogueira said, noting they’re sixth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $43,377 earned so far in 2023. To a man, the group is looking forward to the opportunities available. “I’m very excited,” Hanchey said. “In the winter, you rope two and go home for a week or two. In the summer is when you can really get on a roll, roping one or two a day, get your timing and get tapped off.” After battling injuries for months going back to 2022, O’Connell is finally healthy and ready for the grind of the Fourth. “I’m excited, this is where the race starts,” he said.

PRCA Pro Rodeo photo by Phil Doyle PRCA World Champion Tie-Down Roper Shane Hanchey seems to always perform well during Cowboy Christmas. Back in 2016, he earned a career-best $32,293 during the run.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/23/2023

ProRodeo.com

61