ProRodeo Sports News - March 15, 2024

ANDREWS, TEXAS

Pharr uses consistent pace to nab surprising victory Savored Win BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News W ith each handshake and pat on the shoulder reality set in for Doug Pharr. He was just looking for a solid weekend at the M.M. Fisher Jr. Memorial Steer Roping event in Andrews, Texas. Pharr M.M. FISHER JR. MEMORIAL STEER ROPING

never envisioned walking away with the average title. But as the steady stream of competitors came by to shake his hand and offer their congratulations, his accomplishment became real. “Without a doubt it’s a boost for the confidence for sure,” Pharr said. “It’s great to get a little boost that the work is paying off. I would have been happy just placing at this roping and felt a level of confidence just from placing. It was totally unexpected to come in here and for everything to click like it did and come out the champ.” Pharr didn’t need to dazzle at one of the PRCA’s biggest standalone steer roping events of the year. He only placed in one round, taking seventh in the second round. Instead, the Mount Calm, Texas, cowboy just kept catching steers and recording times, securing a time on each of his four runs. In the end, his aggregate time of 54.5 seconds was enough to win the average title, placing him one full second better than runner-up John E. Bland. In all, Pharr secured $6,616 for the weekend, his highest earnings total for a season since earning a little over $7,100 in 2012. It was a moment Pharr called “unexpected” as the longtime PRCA competitor continues to find his way in the steer roping world. In 2009, Pharr stepped away from being a full-time competitor to focus on work outside of rodeo and his family. Before that, he had been among the sport’s elite tie-down ropers. He qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2000, 2005, 2006 and 2008, placing in 12 rounds. With two young kids and a growing business as a future’s broker, feeding about 4,000 head of cattle in the Texas panhandle, Pharr has stayed plenty busy without the rigors of being a full-time rodeo competitor. But he never fully let it go, keeping his PRCA card active and taking part in occasional rodeos as a way to stay engaged. About five years ago, he decided to take up steer roping as a way to try something new. “I made a living with a rope and string for 12 years and I didn’t think the transition would be that difficult – and I was very wrong,” Pharr said. “There are so many variables in this event in my opinion. You don’t only have to compete very well, but your horse has to too and your steer has to cooperate. It’s been difficult for all three of those things to come together in one setting.” While his experience in steer roping is limited, Pharr has been steadily improving. He trained his own horse which he rode in events until it sustained an injury last year. While his personal mount is recovering, Pharr has been grateful that Jamie Long has allowed him to ride his horse, Tongue, which helped Cash Myers reach the National Steer Roping Finals two years ago. Pharr called Tongue’s efforts over the weekend “absolutely flawless,” allowing him to focus on catching and tying. Pharr was well outside the top 50 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings prior to the weekend and while he’ll certainly leap onto the list thanks to this victory, his focus is still on his business and his family. He’s riding for the enjoyment, the camaraderie, and the fun of it all. But a little taste of success doesn’t hurt either. “It was unexpected for me to win this roping,” Pharr said. “It’s one of the biggest steer ropings of the year and certainly the prestige and the caliber of everyone there, it was very exciting for me to win this roping. I’m still in disbelief.”

Robert Rosales photo Doug Pharr makes a catch during the M.M. Fisher Jr. Memorial Steer Roping in Andrews, Texas. Pharr, a four-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in tie-down roping, captured the biggest steer roping win of his career.

Complete results/Page 45

ProRodeo Sports News 3/15/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 3/15/2024

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