ProRodeo Sports News - June 25, 2021

Bull rider takes Woodward victory Potter Power WOODWARD ELKS RODEO WOODWARD, OKLA.

BY JOLEE JORDAN, Special to ProRodeo Sports News T he Woodward (Okla.) Elks Rodeo is just about perfect by Maverick Potter’s standards. “There are people everywhere and it gets you pumped up to ride,” the bull rider said. “It’s one of my top five favorites, especially outdoor rodeos. The committee is awesome. It’s never too hot, they have lots of good food and drinks, Bennie Beutler puts on a great show, and all the people are nice.” Of course, earning the championship there and the $3,571 corresponding paycheck only increases the rodeo’s appeal. That’s just what Potter did on June 11 after his 86.5-point ride on Beutler & Sons Rodeo’s Fake Friend. He had tangled with Fake Friend before, placing aboard the bull at the Lawton (Okla.) Rangers Rodeo in 2020. “He’s a good bull, definitely one you’d want every time if you could have him,” Potter said. “I felt kind of sloppy right out of there and I didn’t know if it looked very good,” Potter said. “But it felt good to get one under my belt and get one conquered.” Potter not only picked up a hefty paycheck, but he also earned valuable ProRodeo Tour points as Woodward is a stop on the way to the Pro Rodeo Tour Finale. He is comfortably inside the top 10 in the race to be in Salinas, Calif., for the lucrative championship event on the final weekend of the rodeo season in September. Woodward was the highlight of a busy weekend for Potter and his hauling group which includes Wrangler National Finals Rodeo bull riders Boudreaux Campbell, Clayton Sellars and Parker McCown. Potter has had a solid winter and spring and is sitting in good shape to add his name to the list of NFR cowboys in his rig. He’s won more than $28,000 this season. “If I can just keep my head on a swivel, stay healthy and keep going at ’em, I think I’ve got a chance,” Potter said. “Making it to those yellow bucking chutes, that’s my goal.” Potter gives credit to his hauling team for the positive influence they’ve had on his career, now in his third year in the PRCA. “They’re great guys to be around,” he said. “You can’t be a chicken if you expect to soar with the eagles. I’ve been blessed to make it into this rig and they’re definitely rubbing off on me.” Potter got interested in bull riding after attending practices as a kid to watch his dad, Foster, and uncle, Russell Sheehan, ride. When Potter and his cousin finally got a chance to get on a few themselves, they were hooked. “The adrenaline rush, you can’t beat it,” Potter said. Not even a seriously broken ankle which affected his growth plates and led to 11 surgeries could deter him from his passion. Potter and company spent the two days after Woodward getting ready to hit the road. One of the first stops was the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo, one Potter hadn’t competed in yet after the event was canceled in 2020 due to COVID. “I’m pretty excited to go to Reno for the first time,” he said. After finishing inside the top 30 last year, Potter is as confident as ever in his chance to make an appearance at the Wrangler NFR. The biggest lesson he’s learned? “Don’t give these bulls any mercy because they’re not giving it to you,” Potter said.

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY WINNER Shane Hanchey ($6,072, tie-down roping) BAREBACK RIDING

Hanchey

1. Will Lowe ............................ 87.5 pts. 2. Bill Tutor ..................................... 84.5 3. Tim O’Connell ................................ 82 STEER WRESTLING 1. Dakota Eldridge ..................... 3.4 sec. 2. Bridger Anderson ......................... 3.6 3. Clayton Hass ................................ 3.7 TEAM ROPING 1. D. Egusquiza/T. Graves ......... 4.7 sec. 2. C. Kirchner/A. Roger .................... 4.8 (Tie) K. Johnson/C. Johnson ........ 4.8 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Kirk Thomson ......................... 86 pts. 2. Layton Green .............................. 84.5 3. Lefty Holman ................................. 84 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shane Hanchey ..................... 8.4 sec. 2. Beau Cooper ................................. 8.5 (Tie) Eli Barger .............................. 8.5 STEER ROPING 1. Corey Ross ................. 43.6 sec. on 3 2. Taylor Santos ............................. 44.7 3. Mike Chase ................................. 45.4 BULL RIDING 1. Maverick Potter ................... 86.5 pts. 2. Jate Frost ................................... 84.5 3. Two tied at ..................................... 83

Complete results/Page 40

Phillip Kitts photo

ProRodeo Sports News 6/25/2021

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