ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 22, 2019

RAM SOUTHEASTERN CIRCUIT FINALS Burks wins tie-down average in first trip Memorable BY TRACY RENCK E xperience wasn’t a factor for tie-down roper Andrew Burks at the RAM Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo. Burks, 22, in his RAM SCFR debut, looked like a savvy veteran, winning the average in 27.2 seconds on three head. “It was a great feeling to win it because it paid really well and it was a great atmosphere,” Burks said. The Kiln, Miss., cowboy earned $7,556, easily his biggest payday since buying his PRCA card in December 2017. He earned $3,101 during the 2018 season. “Everything fell into place for me,” Burks said. “It was great.” Pharr

ALL-AROUND COWBOY Tim Pharr, TOP SCORES

$4,722, tie-down roping and team roping. BAREBACK RIDING

Burks didn’t set the tone in the first round, stopping the clock in 10.5 seconds. “The first one was a little bit fresher set of calves, so I backed off the barrier a little bit and I had to run him down,” Burks said. “I was disappointed with that run and I knew I was going to be down a little bit in the standings. I came back in the next one and tied her in 8-flat.” That set the stage for Burks in round three. “I came back sitting third in the average, and I drew a really good calf,” Burks said. “Everybody was going at it really tough, so I just backed off it a little bit and tied her down.” His performance in the finals with an 8.7-second run won him the round and the average. “It was a dream come true to have all that happen,” said the 6-foot, 184-pound Burks. Burks was riding his main horse, BB, an 18-year-old mare. “She worked very well,” Burks said. “She was spot on.” Now, Burks is making plans for the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., April 2-4. “I knew I was going to have to win the average to go to the RAMNational Finals Rodeo,” Burks said. “I was 1-for-1 in my first trip to Davie, and maybe I can work it out and be 2-for-2 when I go to Kissimmee for the first time. I’m fired up about getting to go to the RAM circuit finals (National Circuit Finals). I think I might go to Disney World for sure.” After his winning effort in Davie, Burks has simple goals for the 2020 season. “I want to try and get in the top 50 in the (PRCA | RAMWorld Standings), so I can get into more rodeos,” said Burks, who enjoys playing golf in his spare time. “I enjoy tie-down roping because of the individual aspect of it.” IN BRIEF FLEMING TAKES STEER WRESTLING AVERAGE Mose Fleming is headed to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee. Fleming qualified by winning the average at the RAM SCFR with a 12.3-second time on three head. He earned $6,926 for his performance in Davie. Fleming didn’t make the RAM NCFR last season. ESSARY CASHES IN WITH ONE RIDE Bull rider Gray Essary III made the whistle on only one of his three bulls at the RAM SCFR, but his one ride paid dividends. Essary had an 83.5-point ride on Silver Spurs Club’s Domino to capture the first-round victory. That was the highest-scored ride of the event, and since no one rode more than one bull, Essary also claimed the average.

1. Trey Moore III............ 253.5 pts. on 3 2. Tanner Phipps ........................... 233.5 3. Blade Elliott.................................. 227 STEER WRESTLING 1. Mose Fleming.............. 12.3 sec. on 3 2. Justin Rabum............................. 13.1 3. Trey Austin III............................. 13.8 TEAM ROPING 1. K. Peavy/J. Hill............. 23.4 sec. on 3 2. Z. Kilgus/T. Porter....................... 27.6 3. K. Daniel/B.Culpepper................. 30.6 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Bradley Harter............... 247 pts. on 3 2. Brad Bates................................ 235.5 3. Parker Kempfer............................ 227 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Andrew Burks.............. 27.2 sec. on 3 2. Tim Pharr.................................... 31.8 3. Blake Chauvin............................. 33.0 BARREL RACING 1. Julie Thomas............. 45.06 sec. on 3 2. Kelley Carrington ...................... 45.16 3. Carly Taylor............................... 45.17 BULL RIDING 1. Gray Essary III...................... 83.5 pts. 2. Justin Goodman............................ 79 3. Ty Wainright............................... 78.5

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118 ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2019

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