ProRodeo Sports News - October 27, 2023

REDMOND, ORE.

RAM COLUMBIA RIVER CIRCUIT

Joel Harris finds rhythm en route to Circuit Finals title Steady Pace TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Austin Foss ($9,146, bareback riding) BAREBACK RIDING

BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News S low is not a word timed event rodeo competitors want to hear. Speed dictates success in the sport. In the arena, it’s about how fast someone can finish a run. Over the course of a season, it’s about how quickly someone can get to the next rodeo and win money. Cowboys have grown accustomed to the frantic pace. That’s why this time of year is so different as everyone wraps up 2023, waits for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and begins preparations for 2024. The schedule is slower, with less events, less days on the road and more time to think. For tie-down roper Joel Harris, that worked out well at the RAM Columbia River Circuit Finals. “It’s such a different time of year. You have so much more preparation time, so it’s almost like a whole different type of rodeo than what you’re doing the rest of the year,” Harris said. “I think it presents its own challenges, but if you do right by it, there’s nothing better than extra time to prepare.” The San Angelo, Texas, native found his rhythm in Redmond, Ore., becoming one of only three competitors to cover all three head he ran. Harris’ aggregate total of 26.8 seconds was good enough to edge Bo Pickett by a half-second for the average title. Harris finished third in the first round (8.9 seconds), second in the second round (9.0) and second in the third (8.9). That consistency was rewarded with $7,532 in earnings that will go toward the 2024 campaign. Along with time to focus, Harris also capitalized on an opportunity to use one of the sport’s best tie-down roping horses at the event. Joel got the chance to ride Sally, the horse owned by his older brother, Ty, at the competition. Ty finished the 2023 regular season fifth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, earning himself a fifth straight trip to the NFR. Both Harris brothers were in Redmond for the event, and while Ty won the first round, it was Joel who brought home the championship. “We’re rooting for each other. We just want each other to do well and that’s really all we’re worried about,” Joel Harris said. “It’s less about beating each other and more about us trying to help each other be our best.” For the younger Harris, the Columbia River success was a confidence building moment. With more than $7,500 already on his ledger for 2024, Harris is eager to build on the early momentum, but isn’t taking anything for granted. Last season, he picked up some big money early in the year, including $9,000 in February at RodeoHouston. Unfortunately, his season total finished at just over $56,000 putting him outside the top 30 in the world standings. For Harris, the win is a good place to start, but he’s ready for the challenge of stepping up the pace this season. “It’s such a long year, you can’t think you have everything right after doing well one time,” Harris said. “You can’t put too much stock into it, but you’re sure happy to start the year off like that at such a big rodeo.”

Foss

1. Austin Foss .................. 248 pts. on 3 2. Mason Stuller .......................... 239.5 3. Colton Clemens .......................... 229 STEER WRESTLING 1. Dalton Massey ............ 11.9 sec. on 3 2. Ryan Bothum ............................. 12.5 3. Traver Johnson .......................... 14.7 TEAM ROPING 1. J. Flenniken/J. Minor .. 24.2 sec. on 3 2. R. Minor/B. Minor .............. 10.3 on 2 3. C. White/T. Worley ..................... 11.5 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Joe Harper ................ 240.5 pts. on 3 2. Jack Bentz ............................... 223.5 3. Ryan Verling ............................... 214 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Joel Harris .................. 26.8 sec. on 3 2. Bo Pickett .................................. 27.3 3. Kass Kayser ............................... 30.1 STEER ROPING 1. Tom Sorey .................. 50.4 sec. on 3 2. Taylor Santos ............................. 53.1 3. Howdy McGinn .......................... 53.8 BULL RIDING 1. Jordan Spears ............. 152 pts. on 2 2. Cole Hill ..................................... 90.5 3. Brady Portenier ............................. 86

Complete results/Page 60

Gini Roberge photo Tie-down roper Joel Harris stopped the clock in 8.9 seconds to finish third in round one of the RAM Columbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo. He went on to win the average.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/27/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 10/27/2023

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