ProRodeo Sports News - March 17, 2023

the only thing I’ve ever thought about in December.” Of course, it becomes easier to remember historical information when you play a big part of it. Ten years ago, Hanchey rewrote the NFR record book over 10 rounds. In 2013, he won Rounds 1 and 9 and placed in five others on his way to an average time of 80.1 seconds on 10 head, a mark which still stands today. Hall of Fame cowboy Fred Whitfield previously held the record after clocking 84.0 seconds over 10 rounds in 1997. Hanchey’s rewrite started early as he began his fourth NFR with a win in the opening round, laying down a 7.6-second run, followed by a fourth place in Round 2 (8.5) and a runner-up showing in Round 3 (6.9). That strong start set the tone for what was to come. “It just kind of fell into place. I knew after those three rounds of being mid-7 (seconds) to short-8 to long-6, that’s a pretty good start at the National Finals,” Hanchey said. “The calves that year were the best set of calves that’s ever been there, and they fit me and my horse that year really well. “It was just kind of one of those, I don’t want to say Cinderella stories, but I just remember telling myself after the seventh round that something special was going to come about at the beginning of the week – just don’t get in the way of it. That’s what I kept telling myself.” His performance over those runs resulted in his first NFR average title and PRCA World Championship. And Hanchey hasn’t looked back since. Since qualifying for his first NFR in 2010, Hanchey has finished among the Top 15 in the world ever since, giving him a guaranteed spot among the field at rodeo’s season-culminating event. Though he hasn’t been able to capture another world title, Hanchey did secure a second aggregate buckle in 2020 going for 83.1 seconds on 10 head. That year, the event was held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I got one more average buckle in 2020, which I guess wasn’t in the Thomas & Mack, but I still count it. That (time) still would’ve beat the old record, so I’ll take that,” Hanchey joked. Even after all the success, Hanchey admits he gets a little nervous seeing others come close to eclipsing his record. As a kid, he always knew he’d be chasing history. Now, while others are in pursuit of him, he’s also chasing himself. “To know that I was able to compete against and sketch my name in the history books is a cool feeling,” Hanchey said. “I think it’ll be really cool when I look back on it when I’m done with my career. “But every year we get out there, I just try to beat my own record.” “To know that I was able to compete against and sketch my name in the history books is a cool feeling.” – SHANE HANCHEY

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Mike Copeman Shane Hanchey holds up his PRCA Tie-Down World Championship gold buckle after Round 10 of the 2013 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Dec. 14 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/17/2023

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