ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 1, 2024

PRORODEO COWBOYS

PRCA ProRodeo photo

Wacey Schalla looks on from the top of the chutes during Round 2 of the Governor’s Cup bull riding on Sept. 27.

for the NFR. Schalla landed at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport with a lot of confidence. And he knew that with a great weekend, he could seize the lead in bull riding and narrow the gap in the world all-around standings. “It’s been everything I could’ve dreamed of at this point,” Schalla said of his rookie campaign. “I’m just living the dream now. Just hope to keep it going at the Governor’s Cup and see how it plays out.” An outstanding summer set Schalla up nicely for the Governor’s Cup. He entered the event fifth in the bull riding standings and fourth in the all around, with a lead in both categories of the rookie standings. He traveled to Sioux Falls with bareback rider Rocker Steiner, another cowboy who burst onto the scene with a sensational rookie season. “I guess he’s technically a rookie. But I can tell you one thing: he’s no rookie in the bareback riding or the bull riding,” Steiner said of Schalla. “I’ve seen that kid coming for a long time, and he’s going to be something special. He halfway already is.” Schalla started the Governor’s Cup behind the eight ball when he bucked off in the opening round. But there was still a window for him to advance to the semis. In Round 2, he matched up with Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Henry and needed a big ride to stay in the fight. Schalla held on for 88.5 points, good enough for second in the go-round and propelled him to Saturday’s semifinals. “Like I said yesterday, ‘New day, new bull,’” Schalla said after the Friday night performance. “Tomorrow’s a clean slate, so I’ll just go at it like we did tonight.” Schalla bucked off in the semifinals but picked up another $3,611. He finished the regular season fourth in the world all-around and seventh in the bull riding standings. When he left the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Schalla turned his attention toward winning his first gold buckle at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. “Shoot, after August, I knew I was in there to win a world title,” Schalla said. “In the bull riding, I’m not far out, and it’s not over until it’s over. So, we’ll keep going at it.” Clemons, Dallas and Schalla return to action Dec. 5-14 at the Wrangler NFR. The trio capped impressive regular seasons to join bull riders Cooper James, Jeter Lawrence and Weston Timberman as the only Resistol Rookies to secure trips to Las Vegas.

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practice, and I’ve got the Canadian Finals Rodeo next week.” Dallas made a name for himself with a flurry of impressive victories over the summer, including the Ponoka (Alberta, Canada) Stampede, Sheridan WYO Rodeo, the Casey Tibbs Match of Champions Xtreme Broncs and the Outlaw Buckers & Oil Kings Bronc Match. Those performances pushed him from competing for a Resistol Rookie title to fighting to close the game in the world title race. He had more than locked up the rookie title before he earned a spot in Sioux Falls. “My goal was to win the rookie title, but I was more focused on making the Finals,” Dallas said on Oct. 28. Dallas didn’t get the best start at the Governor’s Cup, but he stayed in the fight. He earned a re-ride on his first trip and managed a 75-point trip on Powder River Rodeo’s Kansas to place tenth in Round 1 and stay in the fight to advance. On Night 2, Dallas needed a big ride to advance to the semis. He came up just short with a 78-point trip on Burch Rodeo’s Calico Color, finishing outside the average at 153 points on two head. “I could’ve rode better both days,” Dallas said on Sept. 27. “I drew pretty decent horses. But I mean, that’s rodeo. You show up. You put your best effort in. And it doesn’t always work out. “Sometimes you know you could have performed better, but all you can do is get on the next one.” Dallas went to the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo the following day in San Bernadino, Calif., and picked up an additional $185 with an eighth-place finish. When the dust settled on the regular season, the 22-year-old sat 13th in the standings with $129,157 to secure his first trip to the National Finals Rodeo. “I’m just getting my mind right,” Dallas said of his NFR preparation. “But at the end of the day, it’s just another rodeo. I’m going to go into it confident, have fun and do what I’ve been doing all year.” ‘HE’S NO ROOKIE’ Schalla entered the Governor’s Cup in a different position than Dallas or Clemons. The 18-year-old, who filled his permit and leaped headfirst into his Resistol Rookie season, wasn’t at risk of missing his first chance at qualifying

ProRodeo Sports News 11/1/2024

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