ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 1, 2024

PRCA HONORS BREAKAWAY ROPING Stylish Drifter “Dutch” OWNER: Josie Conner RIDER: Josie Conner Why the horse is special: In a lightning fast event, Dutch takes a lot of time out of a run. He runs hard and flat, while still getting in position to break off the rope. The horse has a unique ability to hold the calf and break the rope in good time. Dutch is 15 years old. He’s 14.3 hands and weighs 1,100 pounds. Conner purchased Dutch in 2022, and this is his first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Hear it from Josie: “It’s a very big honor in the PRCA to have the Horse of the Year. And this is the first time that I’ve ever had a horse that won horse of the year. So, it was just really cool, and it was really exciting. Dutch is a one-of-a-kind animal.” STEER ROPING Unbreykable “Big Country” Why the horse is special: Big Country allows steer ropers to win money almost anywhere. He’s not fazed by indoor or outdoor setups and placed in a round on the grass at the Pendleton Roundup. This is his first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award. Big Country is eight years old. He weighs 1,200 pounds and is 15 hands. McMillen is the only cowboy to have ever ridden the horse. Hear it from Kelton: “It’s a pretty cool accomplishment. I bought that horse as a yearling, so I’ve been the only one to ever ride him. So, that’s a pretty cool deal that everybody else thinks he’s as good as I do.” PICKUP MAN Guys High on Fame “Tuffy” OWNER: Tyler and Vanessa Kraft RIDER: Tyler Kraft Why the horse is special: Tuffy is an all around horse. Kraft’s daughter rides him in barrel racing and he’s also competed as a head horse. He’s typically utilized in the bareback riding. But Tuffy’s reliability also translates into versatility, regardless of the arena setup. Tuffy is nine years old. He weighs 1,300 pounds and is 15.3 hands. The Krafts have owned Tuffy since he was three years old. This is Tuffy’s first Nutrena Horse of the Year Award, but the second-straight one for the Krafts. Hear it from Tyler: “This absolutely means a lot. There are a lot of nice pickup horses out there and to be recognized for two of them in back-to-back years is awesome.” OWNER: Kelton McMillen RIDER: Kelton McMillen

Jake Hodnett photo Kristen Schurr photo Billie-Jean Duff photo

ProRodeo Sports News 11/1/2024

ProRodeo.com

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