ProRodeo Sports News - March 23, 2018

Making It Count

BY TRACY RENCK A year ago, the approach to qualifying for the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo changed for many contestants. That was because money won at the 2017 RNCFR became more important than ever. All money won at the 12 circuit finals rodeos, All American ProRodeo Finals and the RNCFR counted toward the 2017 PRCAWorld Standings. Several cowboys, such as bareback rider R.C. Landingham, tie-down roper Randall Carlisle, saddle bronc rider Jesse Wright and steer wrestler Nick Guy, parlayed their RNCFR winnings into qualifications for the coveted 2017Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December. The year-end champions from each of the 12 circuits, plus the average winners from each of the circuit finals rodeos compete at the RNCFR. This year’s RNCFR is April 5-8 in Kissimmee, Fla. Landingham emerged as the top money earner of the 2017 RNCFR, collecting $29,630 over the rodeo’s four days last April. Landingham’s RNCFR performance was crucial to qualifying for his second consecutive WNFR in the No. 13 spot with $89,261. Another trip to Las Vegas would have been unlikely for Landingham without his earnings in Kissimmee, especially since the Hat Creek, Calif., cowboy battled the rest of the season with a severe shoulder injury he suffered in mid-May. “Winning the RNCFR was a big deal,” Landingham said. “It pays a lot and gives great awards, and it was cool for me that it counted (in the Several cowboys used RNCFR as springboard to WNFR qualification

Bareback rider R.C. Landingham won the finals at the 2017 RNCFR with an 88.5-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Onion Ring. He was the big-money winner at the event with a total of $29,630. Those earnings helped boost him to his second straight bid to the WNFR. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Ric Andersen

ProRodeo Sports News 3/23/18

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