ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 1, 2024

needed a boost. Marcos Costa, the 2017 PRCA World Champion, was nipping at the rookie’s heels as the season wound down. And while Clemons geared up for an intense playoff in Sioux Falls, Costa ventured to Stephenville, Texas, for the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo. When the 20-year-old from Okeechobee, Fla., purchased his rookie card, he had a lot to learn, but he expected to win and get to the NFR. “It’s been a blessing,” Clemons said. “I expected it, but at the same time, it’s almost a surprise. It’s been a long year. There were a lot of things I didn’t know that I figured out along the way. There were a lot of surprises and a lot of learning that I did this year.” The morning before the first performance on Sept. 26, Clemons ventured to the Big Sioux Fairgrounds down the road from the home of the Governor’s Cup at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center to run calves with the rest of the day sheet. The practice session featured a who’s who of tie-down roping, a lot of laughs and an opportunity to get rid of pre-perf jitters. “Shoot, I’ve watched these guys on TV,” Clemons said. “I wasn’t even in junior high, and I was watching Hunter Herrin at the Finals. Now, I’m tying calves with him and getting ready to run one for $11,000. “I was a freshman in high school watching Haven Meged win a world title. And I grew up with Riley Webb. And we’re all here together. So, this is really cool.” At the Governor’s Cup, the field of 12 whittled down to eight after the first two nights, with the top cowboys in the average advancing. The final night featured two performances, and eight man semifinal and a four-man championship go-round. Clemons didn’t have much luck at the event, recording a pair of no-times in the first two rounds and leaving Sioux Falls without a check. He sat 15th in the standings when he left the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. “I expected to win a lot more than I did. I had a rough weekend,” Clemons said after his last run. “I’ve been in a slump for a while, and it’s the wrong month to be in a slump. But I’ll keep my head up and stay positive. “I’m 15th, and there are some other guys out there rodeoing this weekend behind me. I’ve got a rodeo left on Sunday. So, I’m not going to worry about anything else but what I’ve got going. I’ve got one calf left, and the plan is to win.” Clemons took off to the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo in search of insurance to clinch a berth to the National Finals Rodeo. He made the most of his one run, clocking 8.7 seconds to earn a win and pocket $2,174, enough to punch his ticket to Las Vegas. Clemons finished the regular season 14th in the world with $103,417 and won the Resistol Rookie of the Year Award in tie down roping by $3,429.80. “I can’t wait (for the NFR),” Clemons said on Oct. 28. “I’m about to start practicing a little bit and getting my horses ready. I’ll be ready, and I can’t wait for it.” ‘THAT’S RODEO’ Dallas arrived in Sioux Falls with a slim cushion to stay in position for his first trip to the NFR. The Las Cruces, N.M., saddle bronc rider sat 12th in the world standings and hoped to propel himself into the gold buckle conversation against some of the best cowboys in PRORODEO at the Governor’s Cup. “It’s going to be awesome,” Dallas said as he checked into his hotel on Sept. 25. “The more big pressure situations you can put yourself in to compete at that level, the better. It’s always good

Cole Clemons readies himself for his first run in the tie-down roping on Sept. 26 at the Governor’s Cup.

Saddle Bronc rider Zac Dallas holds on for a 75-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Kansas in the first round of the Governor’s Cup on Sept. 27.

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ProRodeo Sports News 11/1/2024

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