ProRodeo Sports News - October 1, 2021

in our event,” said TimO’Connell, a three-time PRCAWorld Champion Bareback Rider. “So, our mentality is to go there, have fun, but be very dominant every night. “Show up to go to work, be tuned in and be ready to go every

The competition will be as tough as ever, with over 20 former world champs expected to be in the field at the 2021 Finals. But the cowboys acknowledged it doesn’t matter where you’re at heading into Vegas, anyone has a shot to come out on top when it’s all said and done. “Man, it just has to be your week, that’s it really,” Pearson said. “It doesn’t really matter what

“It doesn’t really matter what place you go in over there. That year I won (the NFR) in 2017 I think I came in behind Ty Erickson by $50,000. The best guy that week is usually the world champ. – TYLER PEARSON

night for 10 nights straight. There are no days off once you step foot in the Thomas &Mack.” It’s a moment these competitors have been working toward since the season began Oct. 1, 2020.

place you go in over there. That year I won it in 2017, I think I came in behind Ty Erickson by $50,000. The best guy that week is usually the world champ. So, hopefully it’s our turn to get hot, but if not then may the best man win. But we’ll dang sure be giving it our all.” And for some of them it’s all about sticking to the basics, especially for those cowboys who have already been there and done that. “It may sound pretty easy but the only thing you can do is try to catch 10 steers and as fast as you possibly can,” Smith said. “Everybody is trying to win that world title and the money that a guy could win out there is life changing for many guys. So, you have to be prepared to get everyone’s best each and every night in Vegas.” Now all that’s left to decide is who will be crowned world champions in 2021. “I’m looking forward to this 10-day war,” O’Connell said. “I’m looking forward to coming in there and performing at my highest level. And showing why I’m the three-time world champion and showing why I’m ready to be a four-time world champion.”

“It means a ton to us cowboys, we leave in June, and we don’t really get to come home much until the end of September,” Smith said. “That’s kind of the whole purpose of being gone that long. “We are all trying to win as much money at the Finals and then hopefully win the gold buckle. That’s everybody’s plan, but I feel like that’s what you have to strive for when you’re out on the road.” For seven-time NFR qualifier O’Connell it has been a bit of a different path to Vegas than he’s used to. He was sidelined for the remainder of the regular season on Aug. 23 after suffering a tailbone injury that required surgery. But he said he’ll be back and better than ever when it’s time to compete Dec. 2-11. “I wasn’t riding like myself when I got hurt,” O’Connell said. “I tried riding for two or three weeks hurt with this tailbone injury, I was a shell of myself at that point. “But now I feel like I’m going to be able to go into the NFR completely 100 percent like myself, and you’ll see that.”

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales Tim O’Connell will be looking for his fourth world title this year. He had his 2021 regular season cut short due to a tailbone injury Aug. 23.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/1/2021

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