ProRodeo Sports News - November 17, 2023

LOUISVILLE, KY.

Dallen McIntire rides new horse to win Boosted GREAT LAKES CIRCUIT FINALS

BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News I t was the start Dallen McIntire was looking for. However, the rest of the North American Championship Rodeo was a test of mental fortitude. The Thayer, Iowa, tie-down roper won the opening round of the RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo before finishing just outside of earning money in the next two. While he had to sweat a late surge from the competition, McIntire’s strong start was enough to propel him to a win at the rodeo. “If you start off strong, it’s a lot easier than trying to play catch up, that’s for sure. That catch up game ain’t very fun,” McIntire said with a laugh. “I started off strong – then after that, I just stayed afloat and kept after them.” McIntire opened with a time of 8.4 seconds to set the tone, winning the first round by almost a full second. In the second round, he finished in 8.9 seconds, putting him one spot away from placing. The third round was a similar result as his 9.2-second effort placed sixth, two spots out from money. Despite the tense finish, McIntire’s aggregate time of 26.5 seconds on three head managed to edge Jesse Hinkle (26.8 seconds). McIntire’s efforts earned him $6,147 toward his 2024 ledger. The result was a confidence boost for the up-and-coming tie down roper, who has faced plenty of adversity since late last year. In December 2022, McIntire’s competition horse experienced a bout of colic and unfortunately passed away. After months of using other people’s horses while trying to find one for himself, McIntire was convinced by friend and fellow tie-down roper Cody Hubert in April to give a horse he was selling a try. Almost instantly, McIntire and Mints, the 16-year-old mare, bonded. Following some successful spring runs, Mints became resistant to competing. She showed no outward signs of distress or illness, leaving McIntire struggling to understand what was going on. Fortunately, his girlfriend and barrel racer Shannon Jensen began working through a litany of treatments, including a mix of supplements and treatment for ulcers. Around early August, the results were easy to see as McIntire and Mints placed fourth at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in Missouri and continued to improve from there. “It was like a lightbulb went off and everything came back together. Honestly, if it wasn’t for her, it would have taken me a lot longer to figure that out,” McIntire said. With a healthy restart, McIntire and Mints have worked to develop their chemistry, culminating in the runs at the North American Championship Rodeo. The victory not only gives McIntire much-needed money toward 2024, but it also gives him a chance to shine on a big stage next summer. Circuit winners get an automatic berth to the NFR Open powered by RAM in Colorado Springs, Colo., in July 2024. “That’s the way you want to kick off a new season. That’s the best way to do it,” McIntire said. “Not only does it kick off your confidence and get you some money, but in July I get to go to a really good rodeo. It worked out every way possible, honestly.”

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Jarett Evans ($11,500, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Evans

1. Tanner Aus ................ 243.5 pts. on 3 2. Nick Pelke ................................... 241 3. Briar Dittmer ............................... 234 STEER WRESTLING 1. Chance Carlson .......... 15.0 sec. on 3 2. Fenton Nelsen ............................ 17.9 3. Justin Zwiefel ............................ 18.1 TEAM ROPING 1. C. Reed/J. McDaniel .. 11.6 sec. on 2 2. C. Smith/R. Boos ....................... 13.0 3. C. Bruce/W. Kanan ..................... 15.6 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Trey Watts ................. 240.5 pts. on 3 2. Byron Gilliland ......................... 233.5 3. Cauy Masters ............................. 227 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Dallen McIntire .......... 26.5 sec. on 3 2. Jesse Hinkle .............................. 26.8 3. Cody Huber ................................ 27.0 BARREL RACING 1. Lacinda Rose ........... 46.03 sec. on 3 2. Jillian Zaun .............................. 46.10 3. Caitlyn Clair ............................. 46.35 BULL RIDING 1. Jarett Evans .............. 165.5 pts. on 2 2. Maverick Smith ........................ 158.5 3. John Young ............................. 148.5

Complete results/Page 98

Phillip Kitts photo

Tie-down roper Dallen McIntire was on top of his game at the RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo, capturing the average title with a 26.5-second time on three head.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/17/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 11/17/2023

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