ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 22, 2019

DECEMBER 5-14 LAS VEGAS

Three of a Kind? Smidt defending world, average titles

BY TRACY RENCK I t seems like Caleb Smidt can sometimes get lost in the shuffle when discussion arises concerning PRCA star tie-down ropers. Yet, he’s one of the last cowboys who should fly under the radar. The Bellville, Texas, product shined as bright as anybody while winning the 2015 and 2018 tie-down roping world championships. And for good measure, in both those years he also won the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo average. “You see all these guys picking guys to win the world and nobody says Caleb Smidt,” said tie-down roper Justin Maass, an eight-time Wrangler NFR qualifier who used to rope with Smidt when Smidt was breaking into the PRCA. “It’s just amazing to me how that guy can be overlooked. I don’t know how he isn’t the favorite. In my opinion, and I’m a calf-roping fan, he’s the best there is going right now. There are a lot of great ropers right now, but he is the best there is.” Smidt returns to the 2019Wrangler NFR to defend his world and average titles – and he arrives at theThomas &Mack Center in first place with $131,900. “I just try and stay consistent, and I have a good horse and I have drawn good,” Smidt said. “It can go good for anybody (at the NFR), and I’m glad it has been me a few times. You just have to go out there focused and do your best and see how it all ends up. Everybody out there can rope, and you dang sure have to do your job.” This is Smidt’s sixth trip to the Wrangler NFR (2013, 2015-19), but the first time he’s come in as the season leader. He was second in the 2017 regular- season standings and placed fifth in the final world standings. “It’s cool to come to the NFR as the leader, but it will all come down to who ropes the best at the Finals,” Smidt said. “It gives you confidence being the defending champion, but it dang sure doesn’t make things any easier. You still have to do your job and be smart.” A year ago, Smidt entered the Wrangler NFR eighth in the world standings but zoomed past his fellow competitors thanks to winning $142,846 in Las Vegas, tops in the tie-down roping. A large chunk of Smidt’s Vegas winnings – $67,269 – came from winning the average. He also placed in six rounds and won Round 1 (7.6 seconds). At the 2018Wrangler NFR, Smidt won the average with an 83.7-second time on 10 head. Smidt’s journey back to the Wrangler NFR this season received a huge boost in the spring when he won The American in Arlington, Texas, at AT&T Stadium,

2019 TIE-DOWN ROPING STANDINGS

March 3. With a Shootout Round-winning time of 6.97 seconds, Smidt earned $100,000 – $50,000 that counted toward the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. Smidt’s 2019 rodeo count for tie-down roping was 39, far less than any of the other 14Wrangler NFR qualifiers. In addition toThe American, Smidt had strong paydays in Nampa, Idaho ($10,730), Reno, Nev. ($8,990), Greeley, Colo. ($7,918), and Sheridan, Wyo. ($6,923). Smidt will again be riding his horse, Pockets, 12, at the Wrangler NFR. Smidt has won both his world championships aboard Pockets. POISED FOR TOP FINISH Caleb Smidt enters the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings all-around race – $37,809 behind leader Stetson Wright. Smidt finished a career-best third in the all-around standings in 2015 behind Trevor Brazile and JoJo LeMond. QUOTABLE “It’s cool to come to the NFR as the leader, but it will all come down to who ropes the best at the Finals. It gives you confidence being the defending champion, but it dang sure doesn’t make things any easier. You still have to do your job and be smart.” – Caleb Smidt 1. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas.................. $131,900 2. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont............... 119,879 3. Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas..................... 112,878 4. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas...................... 105,592 5. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La.................... 102,197 6. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif................... 101,407 7. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas............. 101,316 8. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb.. ......................... 99,535 9. Michael Otero, Weatherford, Texas. .......... 97,693 10. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas..................... 97,649 11. Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla.................. 97,474 12. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas...................... 92,173 13. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M....................... 90,421 14. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah................. 88,661 15. Cooper Martin, Alma, Kan......................... 86,260

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2019

ProRodeo.com

87