ProRodeo Sports News - May 1, 2020

Taylor: PRCA targets Memorial Day weekend for competition Sights on Season SHORT ROUND

P roRodeo is aiming for a Memorial Day weekend return to competition, RCA CEO George Taylor told The Cowboy Channel in an interview April 25. Taylor addressed several topics in the interview, including

Calgary Stampede canceled The Calgary Stampede announced April 23 in a press release that it would be canceling for 2020 due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic after the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Alberta banned all gatherings of more than 15 people for an indefinite period of time. The city of Calgary also has declared a state of local emergency. “This is an extremely difficult announcement to share, but it is the right thing to do,” said Dana Peers, Calgary Stampede President & Chairman of Board. The Calgary Stampede has been around for 108 years, been through two World Wars, the Great Depression and a devastating flood. But the loss of this year’s Stampede is bigger than its not-for-profit organization. Many local businesses are part of the greater Stampede, from the restaurants, bars and hotels to the retailers, ride-share and taxi drivers who support Western culture throughout the city.

something Taylor discussed.

“The big focus of this is, ‘How do we get going?’” Taylor said. “What we are going to do as the PRCA is we’re looking to partner with PRCA rodeo committees to begin to understand what they can do to just say, ‘Yes.’ … These are challenging times. How can we supplement some of the things the local committees are trying to do, whether they have lost sponsors, their gate might be reduced substantially, or maybe we are just helping to try and give them a backstop of some additional funds. Taylor also touched on the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 3-12. The PRCA has met with officials for the Finals, including the National Finals Rodeo Committee. “We’re having regular conversations with them and we have gone to weekly meetings,” Taylor said. “Obviously, it’s really critical for Las Vegas to open back up.”

the affect the COVID-19 pandemic is having on PRCA rodeos and a timetable for the possible return of rodeos. “You know, sooner is better, for sure,” Taylor said. “We’re really hopeful Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) that we can get something started. We’re working very closely right now with Fort Smith (Ark.) and the local officials there in order to have a rodeo. Whether that means it is a fan-less event or reduced- occupancy style of event, that’s really our direction and what we are going to try to pull off because we do need to get the rodeo engine going and have everybody in these communities see some encouraging things. We are really excited about the potential of starting that on Memorial Day weekend.” The “Kick Open the Chutes” PRCA incentive plan, which will help rodeo committees, is also

Meged staying busy at Montana ranch There’s been no such thing

bed. It’s a full-time job out there at the ranch. We run 700 cows.” Meged hasn’t been practicing much since being in Miles City. “I’ve been breakaway (roping) a little bit, but I haven’t really tied any down yet,” Meged said. “I have just been trying to give everything a break.”

as downtime for reigning PRCA World Champion Tie-Down Roper Haven Meged. With rodeos on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Meged has been hard at work at his family’s ranch in Miles City, Mont. “I’ve been staying busy

Meged

calving and branding now,” said Meged, 22. “My dad (Bart) keeps us busy all day. We don’t ever get inside until about 10 o’clock every night. By that time, you’re ready for

Meged’s main horse, 10-year-old Beyoncé, is the one he won the world title on during his magical 2019 season. He made his Wrangler NFR debut and earned $126,135.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/1/2020

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