ProRodeo Sports News - November 16, 2018

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

PERMIT CHALLENGE

Tie-down roper Haven Meged, seen here in Stephenville, Texas, is slated to attend the permit challenge in Las Vegas, Dec. 6. William Kierce photo

Permit holders to compete in Las Vegas Challenge Accepted

BY MATT NABER P ermit holders get a taste of PRCA action before diving into their rookie year, and the Top 5 permit holders in each event get a preview of Las Vegas competition at the Permit Members of the Year Challenge. “I’m excited, I can’t wait to get over there,” tie-down roper Haven Meged said. “It’s a great opportunity in life to go there and rope with the other permit guys. I feel like every opportunity to rope against the top guys will better you and get you ready for everything. You always try to get better wherever you go.” The 20-year-old fromMiles City, Mont., was at the top of the 2018 PRCA | RAMRodeo Permit Standings for tie-down roping with $23,156, a massive increase from his 2017 season when he was seventh in the permit standings with $6,920. Now he’s set to compete at the 2018 Permit Members of the Year Challenge at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas, Dec. 6. The single-perf competition starts at noon and features a $3,000 payout per event. The Permit Challenge is a self-described event comprised mostly of cowboys looking to add stock to their name, competing for the title of Permit Member of the Year. Although he’s never competed in Las Vegas, Meged’s no stranger to rodeo success. He won the 58th Belt (Mont.) PRCA Rodeo, June 17, and the Home of Champions Rodeo in Red Lodge, Mont., July 4. Meged held off on starting his rookie year while his roping horses got seasoned.

Beyoncé is Meged’s 7-year-old American Quarter Horse that he bought on Facebook two years ago. “She’s real solid and always tries to help you – and she’s got an attitude,” Meged laughed. His other ride is an 8-year-old American Quarter Horse named Jaysnic (pronounced Jays-Nick). “He’s just a big, strong horse, and he really came on this spring when I took him to college rodeos and it was muddy,” Meged said. “I tied a calf in 8.3 (seconds) on him (in the mud), and I decided to keep him for the summer.” Unfortunately, Meged won’t be riding either of his horses at the Permit Challenge. He’ll be borrowing a mount from his friend and fellow tie-down roper, Cody Craig, “I feel like you don’t have to rely on anyone but your horse, and I love roping calves,” Meged said when asked why he competes in tie-down roping. When not competing at PRCA rodeos, Meged represents the Tarleton State University Rodeo Team in Stephenville, Texas, where he ranked seventh in the Southwest Region. He’s majoring in Ag Industries and Agencies while helping his family run a ranch with 500 head of cattle. For the 2019 season, Meged’s shooting for the Rookie of the Year title in tie-down roping and steer roping and a qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He’s already gotten a jumpstart, having won $4,363 as of Nov. 2. “I want to work my butt off to get my horses sharp and myself sharp,” Meged said.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/16/2018

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