ProRodeo Sports News - October 27, 2023

PRCA HONORS BARREL RACING

Fame Fire Rocks “Poprocks” Owner: Mission Ranch LLC Rider: Taycie Matthews

Why the horse is special: Every time the horse gets ready for a run you know she is going to do her job and that consistency never goes away. Poprocks has a calm demeanor for the most part but knows when it’s time to run. The one thing you can say she never lacks is try and heart. She is 6 years old, 15 hands, and weights 1,100 pounds. Hear it from Taycie: “This honor means everything to Poprocks and I. I can’t put into words what this means, especially with it being my rookie season. It’s a privilege to get to ride a horse that has that type of potential and knowing everyone thinks she’s as great as you do is pretty special.” Why the horse is special: She scores really well and runs hard every single time she backs into the box. Her timing is usually perfect. When the rope is pulled down it will always pop. She is never tight and never free. It’s hard to find a time when she isn’t always spot on. She is 8 years old and 14.3 hands tall. Hear it from Shelby: “I trained her, so I take a lot of pride in her receiving this award. I teared up when I found out we had won it. I think it’s super cool because you always think your horse is great, but when our peers in our sport vote on it and they also think that they are exceptional it means a lot. I couldn’t do what I have without her that’s for sure.” PICKUP MAN Baby Hes Hot “Baby” Owner: Tyler Kraft Rider: Tyler Kraft Why the horse is special: The pickup horse can run a hole in the wind. He has a lot of presence and eye appeal in the arena. He rides elevated, which makes it easier to pick guys up when they are on those big bucking horses. He sticks out when he is out there. Baby spent most of the season picking up cowboys in Canada. The horse is 10 years old and stands at 15.1 hands. Hear it from Tyler: “It means a lot to have my horse selected as the inaugural pickup man horse of the year. For the contestants and your peers to select your animal for an award like that is pretty special. We’ve had him for a long time and he’s actually my wife’s 30th birthday present, so it’s cool to see what he’s turned into.” BREAKAWAY ROPING No Wimpy Turns “Onna” Owner: Shelby Boisjoli Rider: Shelby Boisjoli

Jake Hodnett photo Dan Lesovsky photo Billie-Jean Duff photo

ProRodeo Sports News 10/27/2023

ProRodeo.com

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