ProRodeo Sports News - October 19, 2018

CIRCUIT FINALS CALIFOR NIA Winning the RAMCCFR opened the doors to larger rodeos that will play a major role in Rickard’s push for the 2019Wrangler NFR. “I’ll try to dominate my circuit next year and win the whole year,” Rickard said. “I’ll hopefully hit Denver, Fort Worth (Texas), San Antonio and all those big ones out there.” Williams believes in his friend. “Justin has so much potential and talent and ability that I think him winning the circuit finals will open his eyes to that and help him progress to do even better than he already has,” Williams said. Rickard won $7,667 during the 2018 season. As of Oct. 18, his haul from Lancster had him eighth in the 2019 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. “He’s off to a good start and has his confidence up,” Williams said. “He just needs to keep it rolling, that’s been the hardest part for Justin. I’ve been ProRodeoing for four years and he’s been doing it longer than that. The hardest part for him is the confidence and keeping it up, but I feel like he’s in a good place and needs to keep it going.” Rickard’s best year was in 2012 when he won $17,647 while scoring some major wins, among them the Riverdale (Calif.) Rodeo, Ramona (Calif.) Rodeo, the Sheriff ’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, Calif., and the Days of

’47 Rodeo with an 89-point ride in Salt Lake City. Since, he hasn’t topped $10,000 in season earnings. “I should have held onto my permit another year and made that my rookie year, but I was learning how things work,” Rickard said of his rodeo career that started before most kids could ride a bike. FARM-RAISED At 27, Rickard had a few years’ experience on his competition which can be a double-edged sword in roughstock events. “It’s getting up there, but I figure I’m in my prime and should be a seasoned vet by now,” Rickard said. Rickard’s dad, Roger, competed in bull riding and bareback riding. He started his son riding calves when he was about 4 years old. “I got $80 for my first jackpot and was hooked from then on,” Justin Rickard said. “It just hooks you in and reels you in like a fish. It was normal for me, like it was my baseball or soccer. “My dad was my biggest help, he campaigned us through junior rodeos and high school rodeos.” He’s following in his dad’s steps, working as a horse trainer and farrier. “Animals and horses are my life,” Rickard said. “I’ve got like five dogs and some goats, chickens, mini ponies and donkeys.” Williams said Rickard’s lifestyle reflects his personality. “Justin is the goofiest and most loveable guy you’re ever going to meet,” Williams said. “He’s 27 going on 12 – he will just look at you and start laughing over something that happened in the past.”

Clayton Biglow’s 84-point ride on Four Star Rodeo’s Hillbilly was the first of the three round-winning rides he made at the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo. Placing first in all three rounds gave the Clements, Calif., cowboy an $8,618 kickstart to the 2019 season. Gene Hyder photo

Complete results on Page 65

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Cameron Messier ..... 191 pts. on three 2. Joaquin Real ............ 167.5 pts. on two 3. Reed Neely .................................... 160 4. Nick LaDuke ............................... 150.5

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Ryle Smith .............. 28.0 sec. on three 2. Jordan Ketscher ........................... 28.8 3. Doyle Hoskins .............................. 36.2 4. Colton Farquer .............................. 41.3

BARREL RACING 1. Nellie Miller .......... 52.58 sec. on three 2. Tonia Forsberg ............................ 52.95 3. Brittney Barnett .......................... 53.62 4. Jolee Lautaret-Jordan ................. 53.69

BULL RIDING 1. Justin Rickard ............ 169 pts. on two 2. Will Morris ..................................... 164 3. Dylan Hice Vick ........................... 155.5 4. Colby Demo ................................... 155

ProRodeo Sports News 10/19/2018

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