ProRodeo Sports News - March 1, 2024

MANAGER’S MESSAGE TRACY RENCK

Tracy Renck is the Manager of Communications and Media. He previously served three years as the editor of the ProRodeo Sports News, and before that he spent seven years as a media coordinator at the PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism with the last decade consumed by ProRodeo.

San Antonio provides lasting memories T here have been countless memorable moments during the history of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo – and the 2024 edition delivered even more. This was the 75th year of the storied rodeo and it was one full of heart-pumping highlights of winning rides and runs. Hailey Rae photo Military personnel propel down from the ceiling of the Frost Bank Center to bring the American flag and Texas flag into the arena prior to a performance on Feb. 23 at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

Cash closes out the song with the following lyrics – which really fired up the crowd. She’s getting threadbare and she’s wearing thin,

But, she’s in good shape for the shape she’s in, Because she’s been through the fire before, I believe she can take a whole lot more. So, we raise her up every morning, and we Take her down every night, We don’t let her touch the ground, and we fold her up right. On second thought, I DO LIKE TO BRAG,

After spending the final three days covering the rodeo in person at the Frost Bank Center – Feb. 22-24 – it was quite the experience – starting off with the great hospitality we received from the rodeo volunteers. Before the finals began on the night of Feb. 24, the braintrust behind the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo amped up the excitement by having the Roughstock Draft at an expo hall on the grounds for bareback, saddle bronc and bull riders who were competing that night in the finals. The cowboys drew numbers with No. 1 getting the first choice of the animals available – and so on. There were surprises on who chose who – the pen was loaded with great horses and bulls. Some cowboys chose based on what animal fit them best and some picked based on the quality of the animal. Business decisions were made – for obvious reasons – first place paid $15,000, second ($10,000), third ($5,000) and fourth ($3,000). It was cool to see the spectators watch as the cowboys worked through their picks. The juices got flowing right before the rodeo began with the playing – and emotional corresponding video on the big screen – of Johnny Cash’s song “Ragged Old Flag.” The legendary Cash wrote the lyrics – and – when sang by him in his distinct voice they really hit home – and they couldn’t fit what rodeo stands for in terms of patriotism any better.

BECAUSE I’M MIGHTY PROUD OF THAT RAGGED OLD FLAG! With the crowd rockin’, bareback rider Rocker Steiner was rollin’, winning with his locks flowing. Other moments that stuck in my mind were tie-down roper Shad Mayfield claiming the San Antonio title for the second time in his career in scintillating fashion with a 7.2-second run. The unerasable smile on saddle bronc rider Logan Hay’s face after his victory. Then, there was bull rider Clayton Sellars. The Florida native received a re-ride in the finals, and he made the most of it taming the rank bull of Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Yellowstone for a 90.5-point trip. It was a fitting ending to an electric rodeo. As the curtain dropped on the event it was one that will not be forgotten by this scribe anytime soon.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/1/2024

ProRodeo.com

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