ProRodeo Sports News - October 16, 2020

In other cases, successful, tradition-rich events such as the Cinch Roping Fiesta, which has been around for decades in San Angelo, Texas, and features world-class ropers, have become sanctioned by the PRCA. The 2020 edition (the 67th annual event), which is scheduled for Oct. 24-25, will feature the sport’s elite in tie-down roping and steer roping. Prize money will count toward the world standings for the third consecutive season. “It’s kind of like going to a restaurant and you can order just one thing,” said Justin Rumford, a former PRCA Clown of the Year who was a key organizer of the Gold Buckle Knockout. “If you’re a big bronc fan, you can go to some bronc matches. If you like bulls, you can go to some bull ridings. So, now with the Roping Fiesta and other stuff like that, you can kind of tailor what you want to what you like. So, the stand-alone events have given the fan a way to get into the one event.” Four-time world champion Tuf Cooper likes the specialty events because the competitions can help a cowboy step closer toward earning a gold buckle. “It’s great because above all, as far as my career goals, the career goals are to be a world champion and that helps that out,” Cooper said. “It gives you another chance to earn points toward a world championship.” Wyatt Casper, who is No. 1 in the 2020 saddle bronc riding world standings, hopes to see an increase in specialty events. “Every time they have something new for us is always good,” Casper said. “I would like to encourage anybody if they have an event with some added money or have any ideas for an event to get with the PRCA and get it approved. The more events that we get to go to and the more events we have to choose from is going to build our sport. Once those younger kids see how much money the Top 15 are making when they get to Vegas, there’s going to be a bunch more kids wanting to rodeo or ride broncs or ride bulls.” The Gold Buckle knockout turned out to be the epitome of a successful, new event. It was conceived to help ProRodeo personnel get another

opportunity to work because of competitions being canceled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Binion Cervi, whose longtime family rodeo company hosted the Gold Buckle Knockout at their Colorado ranch, said events that cater to roughstock riders help a rodeo company showcase its stock. The action was broadcast on The Cowboy Channel. “Our focus is bucking horses,” Cervi said. “We raise 100 to 130 a year. To have that type of event, the Gold Buckle Knockout, it was very special because it’s what we put our heart and soul into with this company with the bucking horses. There are bull ridings everywhere but not bronc ridings everywhere.” During the Gold Buckle Knockout, The Cervi Brothers’ Ain’t No Angel andWilliamWallace helped six-time Wrangler NFR qualifier Richmond Champion and three-time world champion TimO’Connell, respectively, tie for first in the final round with lofty scores of 90 points. PRCA CEOGeorge Taylor said the association welcomes bringing in these types of events. “Whenever we have an event that displays the best of our talent, and if they want it to count toward the world standings, we want to do that,” Taylor said recently. “It makes the pressure of the competition go up ...” One world-class cowboy who feels a sense of urgency when he competes in a PRCA stand-alone event is former National Finals Steer Roping qualifier J. Tom Fisher. He and family members and organizers produce an annual PRCA-approved event called the M.M. Jr. Memorial Steer Roping in Andrews, Texas. “You take a roping, if it counts for points like San Angelo, you take it so much more seriously and you’re going to ride your No. 1 horse,” Fisher said. “You’re going to be on your A-game, you’re not going to take it lightly. The money is the same, it all ends up in your bank account, but when it counts for points, when it counts for standings, it just makes it that much more important.”

Mary Peters photo

Bareback rider Caleb Bennett celebrated with a fan at the Yellowstone Riggin Rally in Darby, Mont., Sept. 7.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/16/2020

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