ProRodeo Sports News - March 8, 2019

THE AMERICAN

“For an opportunity for my rope to make a living for me and put me in position where I could change my life and my family’s life moving forward is the biggest goal you can have when you start roping a goat, chasing him around in the yard as a little kid. I’m just really blessed.” LOOKINGAHEAD Proctor and Motes edged the team of Riley and Brady Minor, who finished second in 4.75 seconds. Proctor entered the week 31st in the world standings with $9,387, but he rocketed to the top of the world standings after The American. Proctor has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo four times (2014-17). He placed 18th in the world standings last year. Motes also has made four appearances at the Wrangler NFR (2007, 2012-13 and 2015). He was sixth in the world standings beforeThe American with $17,666. Motes was riding Rockstar in AT&T Stadium. Like Proctor, he finished 18th last season. “Coleman and I started roping together last September, and neither one of us had a very good chance to make the NFR,” Motes said. “We really hit a pretty good lick. We went all the way to the end, and we just missed the NFR by a little bit. It seems devastating when you miss the NFR, that’s what you all look for, but God has his plan. Then, we had this happen at The American, and

it is crazy.” Proctor, who lives in Pryor, Okla., was competing on his bay horse, Heisman, in Arlington. “I bought that horse a couple of years ago,” Proctor said. “I told my wife (Stephanie) I was going to name himHeisman because Oklahoma (University) hasn’t had one in a long time. Then, we had two of them (in 2017 and 2018). I brought Heisman to Texas just for The American. Of course, we had to go through the qualifying rounds. “I told my wife there have been a couple of other Heisman winners who have had a lot of success at AT&T Stadium for the Big 12 Championship – (Oklahoma quarterbacks) Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. I told her when I win this sucker, I’m going to name Heisman Baker Murray.” Motes acknowledgedThe American will hopefully be a springboard to their lofty expectations. “We want to be one of the top teams going into the NFR, and the top team leaving,” said Motes, who placed a career-best second in the world standings in 2015. Proctor reiterated that reaching the rodeo pinnacle is their focus. “We want to go into (the NFR) No. 1 and we want to win a gold buckle,” said Proctor, who finished a career-best fourth in the world standings in 2014. “This is just Stage 1 complete, now it’s on to the rest of the season.”

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Ryder Wright ....................... 88.50 pts. 2. Jake Watson .................................... 87 3. Mitch Pollock .................................. NS 4. Cody Wright ................................... NS

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Caleb Smidt .......................... 6.97 sec. 2. Rhen Richard ................................ 7.35 3. Ty Harris ....................................... 7.47 4. Ryle Smith ...................................... NT

BULL RIDING 1. Joao Ricardo Vieira .................. 87 pts. 2. Cody Teel ........................................ NS 3. Kaique Pacheco .............................. NS 4. Jose Vitor Leme ............................. NS

Complete results on Page 58

ProRodeo Sports News 3/8/2019

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