ProRodeo Sports News - October 2, 2020

STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS

Boquet takes Askey’s advice, wins bull riding Good Advice BY NEAL REID, Special to ProRodeo Sports News D ustin Boquet might have to listen to Jeff Askey more often. Tired from a stressful COVID-19-marred season and perhaps less than eager to lock horns TOP SCORES

with a bull that had bucked him off earlier in the year, Boquet was contemplating skipping the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo in Stephenville, Texas. Encouragement fromAskey changed that, and Boquet not only made the trip, but took home the championship buckle and a shiny .22-caliber Henry rifle for his efforts. “I had gotten home from Rapid City and was kind of being lazy and didn’t want to go,” said Boquet, of Bourg, La. “I called up Jeff, because I was supposed to pick him up in Weatherford (Texas), and he was like, ‘Man, if you go, you’re going to win it.’ I was like, ‘All right, heck, you’ve talked me into it.’” Boquet edged Shane Proctor and Clayton Sellars by 1.5 points thanks to an 88-point ride aboard Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s He Reigns to add $1,805 to his 2020 earnings total. The win was especially nice considering the bull had turfed Boquet at the 7.6-second mark at the Liberty National Xtreme Bulls in Lawton, Okla., in early June. The 26-year-old cowboy enjoyed the revenge. “I kind of knew what to expect and knew not to quit him at the end, and I knew I had to keep moving on him,” said Boquet, who is headed to his secondWrangler National Finals Rodeo in December. “He tries to run you off your rope a little bit and makes you work more for it than some of them do.” Boquet finished seventh in the world at his first Wrangler NFR in 2018, then had to endure the anguish of failing to qualify last year. He’s thrilled to be back and will be motivated and ready when he nods his head for Round 1 on Dec. 3. “I think it’s pretty awesome,” Boquet said. “Last year, I missed out on it, and it ate me up a good bit. I had my fire lit back and was riding as good as I’ve ever ridden, and then COVID hit and bummed me out for a little bit. It took a little bit to start feeling like myself again and riding like I know I can ride. “Since it won’t be my rookie year (at the NFR), I know what to expect. You just need to take it one bull at a time and don’t get ahead of yourself, because 10 nights can turn into a long time if you let it get to you.” Boquet will arrive at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, fourth in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings, about $10,000 behind standings leader Sage Kimzey. Boquet is excited to have a chance to chase down a gold buckle. “I’m looking forward to it, and I’m hoping big things come from it,” Boquet said. “It’s a blessing, and that’s all of our goals, to win a world title. To be sitting where I am and to have a chance at it, I feel like I just have to go in there, have a little faith about it, and whatever happens, happens.”

Saebens

Wade

TOP MONEY WINNERS Team ropers Tyler Wade and Billie Jack Saebens, $2,530 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Kaycee Feild.......................... 88.5 pts. 2. Tilden Hooper................................. 86 3. Jake Brown.................................. 84.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Four tied with ........................ 3.7 sec. TEAM ROPING 1. T. Wade/B. Saebens................3.7 sec. 2. C. Masters/W. Thorp...................... 3.8 (Tie) G. Chick/K. Blankenship. ....... 3.8 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Brody Cress............................. 89 pts. 2. Bradley Harter.............................. 87.5 3. Wade Sundell.................................. 87 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Tyler Milligan..........................7.9 sec. (Tie) Mesquite Mahaffey................ 7.9 3. Cooper Moortin............................. 8.0 STEER ROPING 1. Garrett Hale.................. 35.9 sec. on 3 2. Landon McClaugherty.................. 36.4 3. Trevor Brazile............................... 38.4 BULL RIDING 1. Dustin Boquet.......................... 88 pts. 2. Shane Proctor.............................. 86.5 (Tie) Clayton Sellars. ................... 86.5

William Kierce photo

Dustin Boquet rides Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s He Reigns for 88 points and the win at the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo in Stephenville, Texas.

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ProRodeo Sports News 10/2/2020

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