ProRodeo Sports News - November 16, 2018

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

Rodeo veteran leads steer wrestling pack Fine 40

BY TRACY RENCK A ge is just a number to steer wrestler Curtis Cassidy. In a sport dominated by cowboys in their 20s and 30s, Cassidy, 40, stands alone atop the 2018 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings heading into the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 6-15. Cassidy, a native of Canada, leads the standings with $106,009. Reigning world champion Tyler Pearson is second with $97,625. Cassidy, of Donalda, Alberta, is making his sixthWrangler NFR qualification and first since 2014. “There were ups and downs all season, but it turned out to be a good season,” Cassidy said. “I had some big wins in the winter, summer and fall. Anytime you are the season leader, you have to have big wins at big rodeos. I got the opportunity to ride some good horses this year, and I have had luck on my side. So I’m happy to be where I am at, and I have no complaints.” The last time a Canadian cowboy won the PRCA’s steer wrestling world championship was 2009. That year, Calgary’s Lee Graves took home the world title. Graves also won the PRCA steer wrestling world championship in 2005. Cassidy also qualified for the Wrangler NFR in 2002, 2008-10 and 2014. His career-best finish in the PRCA world standings was second in 2010. Cassidy is a 12-time Canadian Professional Rodeo Association world champion – nine-time High Point Champion, steer wrestling champion twice and tie-down roping champion once. Cassidy’s journey to be season leader

in the world standings.

“I got confidence and I was winning good, and it rolled over into the 2018 season,” Cassidy said. Despite all his success in his native country, Cassidy acknowledged there’s nothing like competing at the Wrangler NFR. “I love going to big rodeos, and obviously the NFR is the biggest and the best rodeo out here,” Cassidy said. “To have the opportunity to compete there is pretty grand. Just making the NFR is one thing, but to be lucky enough to be the season leader is a great accomplishment for sure.” When Cassidy does compete at theThomas & Mack Center, he’s going to take a simple approach. “It is about being aggressive and getting a good start every night,” he said. “Getting a start there in Vegas is so crucial because it is so fast. It is all about being aggressive. On a whole, everywhere you go is about being aggressive, but Vegas is about times 10 compared to every other place you go.” Cassidy plans on using past NFR qualifications to his advantage. “Experience is definitely a very good thing to have on your side,” Cassidy said, “because you know the setup and the start and what it takes to be competitive in Vegas, which is a huge part of it.”

STEER WRESTLING

received a jolt more than a year ago when he earned $10,179 at the All American ProRodeo Finals inWaco, Texas, in October 2017. Before he began his winter run, he already had earned more than $18,000. Horsepower has been the key to Cassidy’s success. His primary horse is Tyson, 14. He also has ridden Tom Lewis’ horse, Maverick. “Tyson has worked very well, and he won (CPRA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year),” Cassidy said. “He has been a darn-good horse all year. I probably hauled him to half the PRCA rodeos I went to this year. Maverick also has been really good for me and let me win a lot of money.” Cassidy plans on using Tyson at the upcoming Wrangler NFR. According to Cassidy, his 2018 regular- season finish began building momentum late in the 2017 campaign, when he made a late push for the Wrangler NFR, finishing 26th

1. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta ............... $106,009 2. Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss. ................... 97,625 3. Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta ................. 92,323 4. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont. ........................ 89,662 5. Will Lummus, West Point, Miss. .................. 86,958 6. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan. .................... 84,527 7. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas ....................... 83,711 8. Bridger Chambers, Stevensville, Mont. .......... 81,178 9. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La. ......................... 80,717 10. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. ................ 79,584 11. Blake Mindemann, Blanchard, Okla. ............ 78,092 12. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla. .................... 77,643 13. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore. ................... 75,458 14. Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala. ..................... 75,333 15. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis. ............................. 74,706 STEER WRESTLING CONTESTANTS

ProRodeo Sports News 11/16/2018

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