ProRodeo Sports News - November 2, 2018

Tie-down roper Rhen Richard competes during the Big Sky Pro Rodeo Roundup in Great Falls, Mont., in August. Richard won the all-around title at the rodeo and has his sights set on his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Jackie Jensen photo

Double Duty

Richard makes Wrangler NFR debut in team roping, tie-down

BY TRACY RENCK A fter a decade of

Qualifying for the Wrangler NFR was especially gratifying for Richard since he narrowly missed earning bids to the Super Bowl of rodeo on several occasions. In 2008, Richard was the PRCA | Resistol Team Roping Heeler Rookie of the Year and finished 23rd in the team roping heeler world standings. He also was 20th in tie-down roping in 2016 and 21st in tie-down roping in 2014. “The last five or six years I have felt like I could get there (the NFR) in two events,” Richard said. “I’ve been close in both events, and I felt like as hard as I work at it I could make it in two events. So, this wasn’t like a huge, “Wow!” that I made it in two events this year, but it is that much sweeter. You start doubting yourself, so to get this done is a relief.” Richard said he will have a strong support system in Las Vegas, including his wife, Chalis, and daughter, Ruby, 2. “The whole crew is going, my wife, our daughter, my mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, just everybody,” Richard said. “It is going to be special.” Being the only cowboy competing in two events at the 2018 Wrangler NFR is noteworthy because he’s sitting third in the all-around race

grinding and working to reach the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo,

Rhen Richard is making a double debut. The Roosevelt, Utah, cowboy is the only 2018 competitor to make the NFR in two events. He will be competing as a team roping header and a tie-down roper at the Wrangler NFR at theThomas &Mack Center in Las Vegas, Dec. 6-15. Richard qualified 15th as a team roping header with $65,232 and 13th in tie-down roping with $83,373. Richard will rope with heeler Quinn Kesler. “This is super exciting,” said Richard, 29. “I’ve pretty much worked my whole life and set goals to make the NFR. To finally do it and do it in two events is an awesome accomplishment.”

ProRodeo Sports News 11/2/2018

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