ProRodeo Sports News - March 31, 2023

HOUSTON, TEXAS

RODEOHOUSTON

Steer wrestler Dalton Massey was so close to qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo the last two years. Massey finished 19th and 17th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The Hermiston, Ore., cowboy received a massive jolt to hopefully catapult him to his Wrangler NFR debut in 2023, when he captured the title at the RodeoHouston Championship Shootout with a 4.5-second run. Massey earned $50,000 for his final run and departed NGR Stadium with $60,000. That put him into the lead in the March 30 world standings with $81,123. “It is hard to describe in words,” said Massey, 29. “It is just awesome and pretty surreal.” In the four-man Championship Shootout, Massey was last man out. Cody Devers and Tyler Waguespack were tied in the top spot at 4.7 seconds. “I knew exactly how fast I had to be, which worked to my benefit,” Massey said. “I was definitely pretty excited and once I rode into the box my head cleared up and I knew exactly what I needed to do. When I saw my steer clear, immediately I was looking for a clock. That’s not something you want to teach younger guys. When I saw my time, it was one of those moments I will never forget.” Massey was riding fellow steer wrestler Tanner Milan’s horse, Eddie. “Houston was the first time I rode Eddie, and I rode the horse from start to finish,” Massey said. “I wasn’t surprised at all that he worked that well with me. I have watched him go a lot and he has taken a lot of cowboys to the pay window.” Mallory Beinborn/RodeoHouston photo Steer wrestler Dalton Massey celebrates after winning RodeoHouston with a 4.5-second run. Massey nabs biggest win ever

The start to the 2023 ProRodeo season has been a dream for bareback rider Leighton Berry. Berry ended his 2022 campaign on a high note, finishing third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings after earning $127,081 in Las Vegas at the Wrangler NFR. The Weatherford, Texas, cowboy has carried that momentum over into the new season. He kicked off 2023 with a bang by winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, only to one-up himself in Houston just three weeks later. Aboard Calgary Stampede’s Yippee Kibitz in the Championship Shootout, Berry delivered a 90-point ride to win the rodeo and add $50,000 to his name. He knew the matchup provided an opportunity to walk away victorious. “The two horses I got to get on Sunday were both phenomenal,” said Berry, a two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “I knew going into the four-man (Round) there was a chance I could get Yippee Kibitz. It’s a horse that I have history with, and they’ve been winning a lot on her recently. I knew she was going to show up and do her job. So, all I knew was I had to show up and do mine.” Berry’s big payday has moved him to No. 1 in the world standings with $104,899 as of March 30, putting him in a prime position to be back in Las Vegas this December. He said he doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. “My foot’s on the gas and I got a full tank. I’m going to keep going all the way to the top,” he said. “I’m No. 1 right now and I’d like to keep it that way until December.” Berry continues season’s hot start Mallory Beinborn/RodeoHouston photo Bareback rider Leighton Berry has been cashing checks all season and none were bigger than the $50,000 he earned for his 90-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Yippee Kibitz.

Mallory Beinborn/RodeoHouston photo

Richard, Buhler now atop rankings Heeler Jeremy Buhler throws his rope during he and his partner Rhen Richard’s victorious 5.5-second run at RodeoHouston. Rhen Richard and Jeremy Buhler aren’t afraid of the big moment. The veteran team roping duo have been on record, saying their run is simple, but effective. They showed off that strategy to the rodeo world on the grandest stage in Houston on March 19. Richard and Buhler were one of the final two teams to qualify for the Championship Shootout and made it count. They clocked a 5.5-second run in the four-man round, which ended up being good enough for a $50,000 payday and RodeoHouston title.

“We don’t really have a flamboyant style or run so to speak,” said Richard, 33. “We worked hard at having an easy run. The setups that fit our style we usually shine in. Houston is one of those places, where you have to have a good horse and have to be consistent all the way through. I felt like we stuck to the plan and did that all the way to the finish.” The win ascends Richard and Buhler to the top of the PRCA | RAM World Standings, a place that Buhler knows well as the 2016 PRCA World Champion Team Roping Heeler. He said while the win takes a little pressure off, it can also add a little more as well. “In a sense it takes some pressure off for sure because it’s a huge chunk out of how much it takes usually to make it to the Finals,” said Buhler, a four time Wrangler NFR qualifier. “At the same time, I think now it adds a little pressure because it would be cool to win season leader and other stuff like that. We are just going to trust in what we do.”

ProRodeo Sports News 3/31/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 3/31/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

34

35