ProRodeo Sports News - November 19, 2021

STEER WRESTLING Uncharted Waters

Jacob Talley another first-time NFR leader BY AMBER BAILLIE C apturing the steer wrestling title at The American in March gave cushion for a strong lead for Jacob Talley in 2021, which the Louisiana cowboy upheld for the remainder of the regular season, securing the No. 1 spot in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $117,256. After pocketing $100,000 – $50,000 which counted toward the world standings – at The American in Arlington, Texas, Talley went on to win eight other rodeos including the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede after making a 3.4-second run and taking home $6,269. “Winning Cody this year was exciting, that’s always been one of my favorite Fourth of July rodeos to go to,” said Talley, 30. “Definitely having a big win likeThe American, it takes the pressure off. You’re setup in the standings and you’re setup money-wise to be able to go rodeo in the summer. It takes pressure off all the way around, like not having to worry about how am I going to pay my bills if I have a rough week? That takes off a lot of added stress on somebody.” Talley and his horses stayed healthy throughout the season and didn’t run into many challenges. “It was a fairly simple year, I was blessed,” he said. “The best part about it was when you have that money won early, you don’t have to kill yourself by hauling back and forth and wearing out your horses. I could go to the big rodeos and pick and choose the little ones I wanted to go to and take it easy on me and the animals.” This will be Talley’s fourth NFR, he has a $24,898 lead over No. 2 Jesse Brown. “Being season leader is a step in the right direction, it’s exciting to go in with the lead, my main deal is to just get it finished off,” he said. “I try not to get caught up looking at the standings and money. To me, I focus on what I need to do in December and then take a look back at the season after the NFR.” Last year Talley entered the Finals in second place with $61,623. He won Round 4 and split the win in Round 9, earning $76,705. He finished 11th in the average with 65.2 seconds on nine head. “Texas did a great job (hosting the NFR in 2020) and it was amazing being able to go there and compete,” he said.

2021 STEER WRESTLING STANDINGS 1. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La....................... $117,256 2. Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore.. ................... 92,358 3. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev.. ....................... 81,784 4. Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla.. ....................... 81,609 5. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss....................... 79,017 6. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.. .............. 76,443 7. Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta.............. 74,953 8. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho.......... 71,668 9. Stockton Graves, Alva, Okla....................... 71,223 10. Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho. ..................... 69,049 11. Cody Devers, Balko, Okla.......................... 67,715 12. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La....................... 67,254 13. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla.. ................... 66,721 14. Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La........................ 65,071 15. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta............... 64,548 FROM THE CHAMP A year ago, steer wrestler

Jacob Edler climbed to the top of the PRCA mountain for the first time in his career. Edler won his inaugural world championship, finishing the season with $200,510. He edged second place Stetson Jorgensen by a

Edler

mere $1,680. Edler was unable to duplicate his 2020 memorable campaign as he finished 21st in the world standings with $50,912. “It’s been a very humbling year,” Edler said. “It just goes to show me that there are no guarantees in this sport. In 2022, I for sure want to come back to the NFR. I plan on rodeoing hard for about the next five years of my life, going out there and doing my job to the best of my ability. I’d like to consistently return to the NFR.”

For the first time in his career Jacob Talley will enter the NFR in the No.1 spot for the steer wrestling. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee

QUOTABLE “Being season leader is a step in the right direction, it’s exciting to go in with the lead, my main deal is to just get it finished off. I try not to get caught up looking at the standings and money. To me, I focus on what I need to do in December and then take a look back at the season after the NFR.” – Jacob Talley

“But that NFR feel when you walk in theThomas &Mack is something you can’t really describe to people. I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and competing in Vegas.” Talley’s support system of family and friends will be in attendance throughout the 10 rounds. “I like being surrounded by the people who I’m close with. There is a lot of pressure that comes in that situation (competing at the NFR), you can get carried away if you start thinking about it too much,” he said. “But when you have your family out there, you can have somewhat of a normal everyday life and routine with the people that helped you get there.” Talley will be competing on his mare Baby, the same horse he rode at the Finals in 2020. 2017 Steer Wrestling World Champion Tyler Pearson will be hazing for him. “It feels like I get a little more experience every year I get there (the NFR),” he said. “I don’t have a different game plan, but I’m prepared and feel like I learn a little bit every time. I keep my bulldogging and timing the same, we will be ready when we get there.”

ProRodeo Sports News 11/19/2021

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

DEC. 2-11, 2021

ProRodeo Sports News 11/19/2021

56

57