ProRodeo Sports News - March 8, 2019

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Back to Kissimmee

BY TRACY RENCK A t the circuit level, tie-down roper Blake Ash has shown flashes of greatness. The Aurora, Mo., cowboy will be making his third appearance at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., March 21-24. His upcoming trip became a reality when he won the average at the RAMGreat Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo with a 26.1-second time on three head in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 8-10. “There are a lot of good rodeos in our circuit, and we had a really good circuit finals in Louisville,” Ash said. Ash competed in the RAMNCFR in Kissimmee in 2015 and 2016 but didn’t have much luck. “This year, I have more momentum going down there than I ever have,” Ash said. “I also have a better horse. I just have everything together a little bit more. Having two more years of experience under my belt doesn’t hurt either. I’m excited to go back and take a big swing and see what I can do, because there’s a lot of money up for grabs. I also want to go see the tourist attractions in and around Kissimmee that I can.” Ash’s primary horse, and the horse he will be riding in Kissimmee, is Sancho, 13. The horse belongs to Mike Reade. “I hauled himmost of last year, and the biggest

difference in that horse from last year to this year is he’s had a year of seasoning,” Ash said. “We are also jiving a little bit more together.”

WINNINGWINTER

During the winter run, Ash received a big boost in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings when he won the Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson, Miss., which ended Feb. 13. Ash captured the title with a 16.8-second time on two head. He departed town after earning $5,014. “That was definitely one of the bigger wins of my career,” Ash said. “That’s a really good rodeo down there. It’s always good to get a win in the middle of the winter because it’s tough to do. There are not as many places to go in a short amount of time, and it’s hard to get things rolling.” Following the stop in Jackson, Ash cashed in again at the San Angelo (Texas) Rodeo, which concluded Feb. 15, earning $4,599, thanks to placing fourth in the final round and fifth in the average. As of March 6, Ash had earned $16,925 this season, which is halfway to his career-best total of $31,352 from last year. “I’ve never really tried to cut loose and go as much as I have this year,” Ash said. “I think I’m going to really go at it this year.” Ash’s friends and fellow tie-down ropers Bryson Sechrist and Clint Cooper believe if Ash goes full time

Great Lakes Circuit roper Blake Ash making third trip to RAM NCFR

ABOUT BLAKE AGE: 27 HOMETOWN: Aurora, Mo. CIRCUIT: Great Lakes EVENT : Tie-down roping WINS IN 2019: RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo; Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson, Miss.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/8/2019

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