ProRodeo Sports News - March 29, 2024

MERCEDES, TEXAS

Hass captures timely Rio Grande Valley win Needed Boost RIO GRANDE VALLEY STOCK SHOW & RODEO

BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News C layton Hass knew his winter rodeo season was going to be different. The veteran Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competitor didn’t have the 2023 season he was hoping for, finishing 43rd in the steer wrestling PRCA | RAM World Standings, his lowest finish since placing 42nd in 2012. Because of that, Hass’ opportunities at some of the country’s biggest winter rodeos were limited as he didn’t qualify. Down, but not out – and at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo in Mercedes, Texas, Hass proved he was still ready to compete with the sport’s best. The Weatherford, Texas, cowboy recorded a time of 3.8 seconds during his run at slack, the best showing of any steer wrestler during the one-head event. Hass edged out fellow competitor Skyler Woolls by a tenth of a second (3.9) to take the title along with $3,615 in prize money. The key to his success was paying attention. With 96 competitors running in bulldogging, Hass’ position in the slack meant he would face a steer that had been previously run. This allowed him to watch as Paul Melvin caught the same steer he was scheduled to face in 4.6 seconds, good enough to place ninth. With that intel, Hass knew he had a chance and was ready to capitalize. “To go to any rodeo and win $3,600, it’s (dang) sure a good lick. For me, I didn’t have a great year last year, so I didn’t get into Houston and San Antonio. So, I’m kind of battling through the small ones,” Hass said. “I’ve had a decent winter for not getting into those rodeos. I’m giving myself a chance. And it’s so early in the year, we’re just trying to put money together and do the best we can.” The win vaulted Hass up in the world standings early in the season, giving him almost $15,000 in his ledger thus far and putting him in 25th place in the standings as of mid-March. It’s a big win, but Hass is quick to point out it could have been even more substantial. Along with his success in steer wrestling, Hass competed in team roping with partner Kyler Kanady. The duo finished their run in 3.8 seconds, which would have been the second quickest time of the rodeo if it wasn’t for a 10-second barrier violation. Despite the foul, Hass and Kanady still took 23rd in the team roping, helping Hass capture the all-around title for the rodeo. While there wasn’t any additional money earned, it was a nice and much needed shot in the arm that Hass was happy to have. “I broke the barrier and was 3.8 seconds in the team roping and I would’ve won a pile if I could have made it work right there,” Hass said with a laugh. “But it was cool. It was a good Texas rodeo and I’m looking forward to the next one.”

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Pecos Tatum ($4,794, tie down roping) BAREBACK RIDING

Tatum

1. Dean Thompson ................. 85.5 pts. 2. Mason Stuller ............................... 83 3. Jacob Lees ................................ 82.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Clayton Hass ......................... 3.8 sec. 2. Skyler Woolls ............................... 3.9 3. Walt Arnold .................................. 4.1 TEAM ROPING 1. T. Tomlinson/P. Smith ........... 3.7 sec. 2. J. Clay/T. Yates ............................ 4.2 3. K. Thompson/R. Doyal ................. 4.4 (Tie) J. Yeahquo/B. Hawkins II ..... 4.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Spencer Wright ................... 86.5 pts. 2. Shorty Garrett ............................... 86 3. Dawson Dahm .............................. 85 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Pecos Tatum ......................... 7.3 sec. 2. Kincade Henry ............................. 7.4 (Tie) Jeremiah Peek ..................... 7.4 BARREL RACING 1. Abby Phillips ..................... 15.32 sec. 2. Sable Emerson ........................ 15.57 3. Ari-Anna Flynn ......................... 15.60 BULL RIDING 1. Jacob Carige ....................... 87.5 pts. 2. Maverick Potter ......................... 86.5 3. Jeter Lawrence ............................. 85

Complete results/Page 63

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

Clayton Hass, seen competing at the 2020 Wrangler NFR, won the Rio Grande Valley Stock Show & Rodeo with a 3.8-second run.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/29/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 3/29/2024

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