ProRodeo Sports News - March 9, 2018

CITY

STATE

DATES

CITY

STATE DATES

LOGANDALE

NV TX AZ WY WY UT OR MO NM ID

4/11-4/15 4/26-4/29 6/28-7/4 7/10-7/14 7/17-7/22 7/20-7/24 8/8-8/11 8/9-8/12 8/3-8/11 8/14-8/18 9/6/2018 7/1-7/4

RED BLUFF

CA 4/20-4/22 CA 4/27-4/29 NV 6/15-6/23 AB 6/26-7/2 CO 6/27-7/3 OR 7/3-7/7 CA 7/19-7/22 WY 7/21-7/29 KS 8/1-8/5 WA 8/23-8/25 WA 8/31-9/3

CORPUS CHRISTI

CLOVIS

PRESCOTT*

RENO

CODY

PONOKA GREELEY ST. PAUL SALINAS CHEYENNE DODGE CITY KENNEWICK ELLENSBURG

CASPER NAMPA*

SPANISH FORK HERMISTON*

SIKESTON LOVINGTON CALDWELL* PUYALLUP*

ID

WA

* Televised on CBSSN - Tentative

Explanation of the Tour points system, go to prorodeo.com.

“This is just a continuation of a good partnership in a different form,” Feller said. “This is one component of the greater scheme of things, and we are happy to be involved with this program. This (the PRCA) is where our roots started and continue, and once you have been a part of something for a long time you kind of become one. We are proud of that and we’re particularly proud of our heritage and we have been there so long.” Roger Knutson, a board member with the Washington State Fair and the chairman of the rodeo committee, embraces Puyallup being in the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour as the Justin Finale. “We’re pleased to be a part of it,” Knutson said. “It’s going to be much the same format as our past rodeos that we have worked on withWrangler and Justin. We will have 24 contestants show up in each event. They will advance Sept. 9 into an eight-man semifinals and four-man finals. We think (this event) will be good for us and it will be good for rodeo. We’ve been doing this a long time, working with the PRCA, and it is a team effort.” The media coverage of the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour will be divided between ProRodeoTV.com and the Wrangler Network. ProRodeoTV.com will livestream 13 broadcasts, while the Wrangler Network will livestream the other 11 Tour rodeos. Additionally, Prescott, Ariz.; Nampa, Idaho; Hermiston, Ore.; Caldwell, Idaho; and Puyallup, Wash., are scheduled to be televised on CBS Sports Network. “I think the Tour is going to be exciting with the spots we are hitting along the way,” said PRCA Board Member and saddle bronc rider Jacobs Crawley, who won the 2015 world championship. “The crowds should be great, and the stock will be the best that area has to offer and you’re going to get the top cowboys at that rodeo.

“Plus, everybody has a shot at it. If you can get into that rodeo, you have a shot at advancing and to start accumulating points, which will lead to the Justin Finale (in Puyallup). The streaming (at these events) will be huge for these guys because everything is going streaming, streaming is the new TV. Having that available to cowboys at these rodeos, while they are working toward a playoff finale, I think it will be great showcasing great rodeos with great cowboys.” Crawley acknowledged the newWrangler ProRodeo Tour will take some time for contestants to adjust to. “I think how available this Tour format will be to the membership, it’s going to give everybody a shot,” he said. “If you qualify for that rodeo, whether it be 60 guys at that rodeo, each person has the same chance as the next person to potentially win the rodeo. This offers more opportunity for everyone.” Crawley is an event representative and a contestant director on the PRCA’s Board of Directors. Steer wrestler Darrell Petry, who serves in the same capacities as Crawley for the PRCA, also is upbeat about the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour. “I really think this is going to benefit the majority of the (PRCA) membership,” Petry said. “There’s no seeding of contestants who qualify for the Tour, you get qualified based on your merit – based on what you do at those specific rodeos. I think this creates more of a competitive event because if you are a member you can qualify for a Tour event. “This also creates a great storyline for young guys getting the opportunity to compete against the well-known guys and making a name for themselves, and it is all based on having that chance to compete. “Also, with the livestreaming of the events, it gives us the opportunity to attract new fans.”

“This also creates a great storyline for young guys getting the opportunity to compete against the well-known guys and making a name for themselves. -– DARRELL PETRY

ProRodeo Sports News 3/9/18

ProRodeo.com

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