ProRodeo Sports News - March 3, 2023

SHORT ROUND Tilden Hooper, nine-time NFR qualifier, sidelined Out of Action

B areback rider Tilden Hooper, a nine-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, confirmed to ProRodeo Sports News he has been sidelined since the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with neck issues that he’s been dealing with for most of his career. “I had (neck surgery) in 2012 and I have been managing it and doing the best I can,” said Hooper, 35. “Obviously I have had years where it didn’t bother me at all. I’m just going to take time off. It is just rest and rehab. That’s pretty much where we are at right now.” Hooper has qualified for the NFR in 2008-09, 2011, 2014, 2018-22. He finished ninth in the 2022 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $188,477. He finished a career-best fourth in the 2021 world standings with $205,916. Hooper joined the PRCA in 2006. “After the Finals (in December), once I started getting ready for this season, I realized everything wasn’t firing the way it was supposed to,” Hooper said. “The plan is to take time off and come back stronger and better just like I have in the past. This is nothing I have not dealt with in the past.” Following neck surgery in October of 2012, Hooper returned to competition in late June or July of 2013. After making the NFR in 2014, Hooper missed the entire 2015 season with neck issues. He returned fulltime to the PRCA in 2017 and in 2018 he started his run of five consecutive trips to the NFR. “This isn’t a new problem, just a different variation of an old problem,” Hooper said. “We will get around it same as we have (before).”

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Phil Doyle Bareback rider Tilden Hooper, shown competing at the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge in December, has yet to compete since the NFR while battling neck issues.

Permit champs gain bids to RodeoHouston

Winning the 2023 Permit Finals provides a bonus for contestants. Each event winner of the Permit

opportunity for the Permit Finals winners to compete against the best of the best. “The Permit Finals gives our young,

Finals, Oct. 7-9 in Waco, Texas, will secure entry into RodeoHouston in 2024. “The PRCA has made a concentrated effort to better support permit holders by establishing the Permit Finals. We are excited to join in that effort and promote these up-and-coming contestants by inviting the 2023 Permit Finals Champions of Waco to Houston in 2024,” said Dr. Chris Boleman, President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. PRCA CEO Tom Glause says this presents an incredible

up-and-coming contestants a chance to showcase their skills as they prepare to take the next step in their ProRodeo careers,” Glause said. “The Permit Finals winners will now have the opportunity to compete against ProRodeos biggest stars at RodeoHouston, which is exciting.” The top 10 contestants in the permit standings will qualify to compete in the Permit Finals in Waco, with three go-rounds of competition determining the champions.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/3/2023

ProRodeo.com

20