ProRodeo Sports News - May 10, 2024

FORT WORTH, TEXAS

Chance Rodriguez makes big statement Stepping Up BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News C hance Rodriguez saw his draw for the finals of the Resistol Rookie Roundup and knew there was an opportunity for something special. The Parrish, Fla., native entered the last go-round on Saturday April 30 in Fort Worth, Texas as the last tie-down roper to run in the four-man finals. Rodriguez was paired with the calf Gio Piloto used to win the first round the day prior. “It took a lot of pressure off me. It was just like stay out of my own way,” Rodriguez said with a laugh. “I went from being very unhappy with my draw (in the semifinals) to, ‘Oh yeah, here it is now. Now it’s on.’” The result was the biggest success of Rodriguez’s developing career at ProRodeo events, as he finished with a 7.7-second time to win the title and $3,656. TOP MONEY EARNER Rawley Johnson ($5,778, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING 1. Weston Timberman ................ 85 pts. 2. Colt Eck ...................................... 83.5 3. Mason Stuller ................................ 79 STEER WRESTLING TOP SCORES Johnson RESISTOL ROOKIE ROUNDUP

The 25-year-old cowboy has taken a winding journey to the PRCA. Rodriguez left Florida at 18 to compete for the Vernon College rodeo team in northwest Texas. After two years of school and an ankle injury, he went to work for Frontier Rodeo Company, traveling the country to help with stock contracting at events like the Cody (Wyo.) Nite Rodeo. Eventually, he landed back in Texas working for eight-time PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion Joe Beaver. Along the way, he competed in amateur rodeos and jackpots in the Lone Star State, resulting in positive outcomes. “People were saying that if you go to all the open jackpots and rope against the top people – you might as well buy your permit,” Rodriguez said. So, he did. At least, he tried to. Rodriguez reached out to purchase his permit so he could compete in the PRCA. The trouble was, he had forgotten something from eight years back. “Whenever I was 18, I had filled my permit. So, I didn’t realize I had to buy my card this year,” Rodriguez joked. “I was actually trying to buy my permit whenever I called at the beginning of the year. They were like, ‘Hey, are you the Chance Rodriguez from Florida?’ The lady on the call was like, ‘It says back this year you filled your permit. Now, you have to buy your card.’” Everything eventually worked out and opened new opportunities for Rodriguez, including his success at the Resistol Rookie Roundup. While he has his tour card, the Pilot Point, Texas resident isn’t quite ready to start traversing the country for some of rodeo’s biggest showcase events. He’d like to spend a little time in his home state, competing at smaller rodeos to build up earnings so he can “get some more horsepower.” Rodriguez said he’s looking forward to competing at qualifying events for the big winter rodeos like Fort Worth and Houston. He can’t wait to run in San Angelo again, calling it his favorite rodeo so far. He credited his success to his support system for continually pushing him to try new things. And Rodriguez is certainly grateful for the nudges. “I’ve been an amateur guy for four years now and the last two years, they’ve been pushing me, telling me to get (my card), telling me to get it, telling me to get it. I finally got it and did it,” Rodriguez said.

1. Parker Sandstrom ................. 4.8 sec. 2. Boyd Sawyer ................................ 5.3 3. Taylor Pavlovsky .......................... 5.7 TEAM ROPING 1. B. Jordan/S. Lauaki .............. 4.5 sec. 2. C. Fretwell/C. Walker .................... NT 3. K. Sanchez/C. Graves ................... NT SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Carter Sandberg ..................... 79 pts. 2. Tyler Pruitt .................................... 78 3. Zachary Dallas .............................. 77 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Chance Rodriguez ................. 7.7 sec. 2. Nick Achille .................................. 8.6 3. Savion Elias .................................. NT BARREL RACING 1. Oceane Veilleux ................ 13.19 sec. 2. Julie Plourde ............................ 13.39 3. Sadie Miller .............................. 18.23 BULL RIDING 1. Brandon Ballard ................ 80.5 pts.* 2. Vinell Mariano ............................... 75 * Winner determined from semifinal round due to no qualified rides in finals

Complete results/Page 58

Jake Hodnett photo

Chance Rodriguez claimed the tie-down roping title at the Resistol Rookie Roundup with a 7.7-second time in the finals. He walked out of Fort Worth with $3,656.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/10/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 5/10/2024

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