ProRodeo Sports News - Nov.20, 2020

STEER WRESTLING

Leader of the Pack Vet Reeves at Finals for first time as leader

BY TRACY RENCK S teer wrestler Matt Reeves joined the PRCA in 2002 and has had a standout career. The Cross Plains, Texas, cowboy has eight Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications and won the Finals average last year for the first time. Reeves accomplished another first during the 2020 PRCA regular season – he’ll be entering the Wrangler NFR as the season leader in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $86,944. “This is nice,” said Reeves, 42. “I won more, so that’s good, and I’ve had the Finals made since March, which was nice. It’s good that I have this much money won, and now I just have to finish the task.” Reeves, who finished a career-best second in the world standings in 2013 and 2016, essentially solidified his spot at the 2020Wrangler NFR by winning RFD-TV's The American in Arlington, Texas, March 8. Reeves earned $100,000 at The American – $50,000 of which counted toward the world standings to help propel him to the No. 1 position. Reeves also wonThe American in 2018 when it was unsanctioned by the PRCA, taking home $433,000 that year. “I bought some cattle (Oct. 4), and I took most of October off,” Reeves said. “At the NFR, you just have to try and go fast and win all the day money. I placed in four rounds last year, and I would like it to be more like it was in 2016 and place in seven or more rounds. I know if I do that I’ll do well.” Reeves dealt with adversity this season when his main horse, Do Get Famous “Rattle,” the 2019 Steer Wrestling Purina Horse of the Year presented by AQHA, passed away due to a ruptured stomach April 17. She was 8. Despite the loss, Reeves kept his season going strong aboard Roy, 12. “I rode him the first four rounds at the NFR last year until Rattle got well,” Reeves said. “Last year we ran five steers the night before we left and then he was competing at theThomas &Mack Center (in Las Vegas). He didn’t do anything wrong, but we will do more to get him ready this year. He’s a really neat horse and he’s really good at winning first. I’d never have been able to do what I’ve done without him.” Reeves believes the setup at the 2020Wrangler NFR at Globe Life Field in Arlington should work for Roy. “I think it’s going to be fast, and he’s good at going fast,” Reeves said. “It will not be as fast as theThomas &Mack, but he’s good at running them down.” Kodie Jang, who hazed for Reeves at the Finals last year, will return in 2020. “Kodie has come a long way and he does a really good job, and this will be exciting for him as well,” Reeves said. Competing in Arlington – three hours from his home – also is something Reeves is looking forward to. “I’m excited to have it in Texas,” Reeves said. “Arlington (with The American) has been really good to me and it’s always exciting to go somewhere where you have done good. I’ve never been to (Globe Life Field), but Arlington has been pretty dang good to me, and I’m ready to go.”

2020 STEER WRESTLING STANDINGS 1. Matt Reeves, Cross Plains, Texas............. $86,944 2. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La........................... 61,623 3. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La................ 52,678 4. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev......................... 50,085 5. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta................ 50,047 6. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan.................... 46,885 7. Jace Melvin, Fort Pierre, S.D...................... 46,225 8. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho.......... 46,042 9. Jacob Edler, State Center, Iowa.................. 45,607 10. Bridger Anderson, Carrington, N.D........... 43,877 11. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore.................... 42,483 12. Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas............. 41,840 13. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss...................... 40,279 14. Jule Hazen, Ashland, Kan.......................... 39,730 15. Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore.................... 39,495 QUOTABLE “It’s good that I have this much money won, and now I just have to finish the task. I’m excited to have it in Texas. Arlington (with The American) has been really good to me and it’s always exciting to go somewhere where you have done good. I’ve never been to (Globe Life Field), but Arlington has been pretty dang good to me, and I’m ready to go.” – Matt Reeves HEAR IT FROM THE CHAMP Ty Erickson

2019 PRCA Steer Wrestling World Champion

“Oh, man, that’s better than I expected." (Erickson on being called world champion) “This is a dream come true, and I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a little kid. Now that it’s happened, it’s pretty surreal.”

Erickson

ProRodeo Sports News 11/20/2020

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

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