ProRodeo Sports News - May 29, 2020

DIRECTOR’S CUT SCOTT KANIEWSKI

Cave Creek Rodeo Days brings back ProRodeo R usty Wright started dreaming about going to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. And we’re not talking Channel and the app), which will round out the brackets fromHouston, which was cut short mid-rodeo because of the pandemic. Then a number of rodeos are scheduled during June. Cave Creek has brought back the feeling that rodeo is close to ramping up. Yes, Cowboy Christmas during the Fourth of July is going to look different, with some of those rodeos postponing or canceling. But with a month between now and then, those rodeos

about envisioning it or wishing about it. “Actual dreams, going to the NFR,” he said. That’s when he knew he was missing ProRodeo. He wasn’t necessarily nervous about competing at Cave Creek (Ariz.) Rodeo Days, but he also wasn’t as comfortable as normal when he was at the chute. In fact, he had a funny moment of doubt. “Honestly, when I went to step over, I went, what foot do I usually put? I was thrown off for a minute there,” Wright laughed after his ride May 24. After a layoff of more than two months, Cave Creek Rodeo Days was the first ProRodeo to host live action. (Check out full coverage on pages 26-29.) Wright’s excitement mirrored that of so many other cowboys, contract personnel and fans. It was that feeling that included a mix of anticipation and the realization that ProRodeo was happening. The Cave Creek rodeo committee worked diligently with the Arizona governor’s office and local officials, plus the PRCA, to do what it needed to do to help cowboys and contract personnel get back to work. The event was fanless, the chutes were sprayed down with disinfectant after rides and everyone that wasn’t the immediate competitor donned a mask to help prevent any spread. Just to get onto the rodeo grounds, anyone attempting to enter had their temperature screened. Fans were able to watch live onThe Cowboy Channel or could stream live on the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App. Up next is the Super Series Finish (also airing on Cowboy

slated for that time have a good possibility of happening. The success of Cave Creek paves a path for other rodeos. “I can’t say a big-enough thank you to the committee for sticking their neck out,” tie-down roper Ryle Smith said. “I know it probably cost them a lot of stress planning and hoping it would work. And we all showed up.” Wright drove down with his uncle Spencer and Mitch Pollock, plus Wright’s youngest brother. “I woke up this morning and was super excited, almost like Christmas,” Wright said. “We jumped in the truck, and it was all I could think about, getting on today.” Smith summed it up a different way. “It’s been so different,” he said. “This will be the year nobody will forget.” This year will be unforgettable. In a way, the pandemic split the season into two halves: pre-pandemic and post- pandemic. We’re into the post-pandemic half, with four months remaining in the regular season and the race back on for the NFR. Cowboys throughout the PRCA can get excited to rodeo again. It might not be as frequent as a normal season. But make no mistake, ProRodeo is back.

Scott Kaniewski is the Media Director at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He previously served more than two years as the editor of ProRodeo Sports News. He has nearly two decades of experience in sports journalism, with the last few being consumed by ProRodeo.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/29/2020

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