ProRodeo Sports News - October 29, 2021

HEART O’ TEXAS RODEO WACO, TEXAS

Riley Pruitt takes Waco once again Three-peat BY ALLY GALLAGHER Special to ProRodeo Sports News T he Heart O’ Texas Rodeo, inWaco, has always been a favorite for tie-down roper Riley Pruitt, and this year was no different. Pruitt took home the title for the rodeo with a 7.4-second time, recording an early win in the 2022 season. “I can always win a check out of there,” Pruitt Nogueira

TOP SCORES

Driggers

TOP MONEY WINNER Kaleb Driggers, Junior Nogueira

said. “I can go there and know that I have a good chance of winning. And I’ve been able to do that at that rodeo for the last few years. I will always go to that rodeo.” Pruitt has now won inWaco three years in a row. Winter is when Pruitt does his best work, and he said he’s made a habit of drawing well during October and November. That, along with getting to spend a little less time on the road, is what gives Pruitt a hot streak when the weather turns cold. “It’s funny, I always seem to get on a heater there in September, and kind of do a lot of winning in September. But I just really look forward to October,” said Pruitt. “I always enjoy this time of year.” July might be the month referred to as “Cowboy Christmas,” but for Pruitt, October is the real holiday season. And his gift this year is the start to his first full season with his new horse, Caddy. The week after Pruitt bought Caddy, the duo was already winning money. It’s a promising sign for Pruitt, who finished 21st in the 2021 PRCA | RAM World Standings after qualifying for the Wrangler NFR in 2016 and 2019. He hopes with the help of Caddy and a strong indoor season, he can get ahead during the winter months. “I think he’s the best horse I’ve had in my career,” Pruitt said. “I’m so excited to have him for a full year, so I’m going to do whatever I can to keep him healthy, keep him right. “I’m very excited for this year and next year, and the year after that. As long as I have him in the trailer, I’m excited.” Pruitt has been trying to find the right horse for the job since a former horse suffered career-ending injuries. He finally feels like he’s found the one. “I’ve had a few good ones in my career. I’ve had one great one, and unfortunately, he got some bone chips and a stifle, and it ended his career,” Pruitt said. “I’ve just been trying to find another one since him, and I feel like I have.”

($4,049, team roping) BAREBACK RIDING

1. Chad Rutherford ........ 172.5 pts. on 2 2. Craig Wisehart ............................. 165 3. Kyle Bloomquist ........................ 163.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Dustin Merritt ................ 8.5 sec. on 2 2. Cade Staton .................................. 8.7 3. Winsten McGraw .......................... 8.8 TEAM ROPING 1. Driggers/Nogueira ......... 8.9 sec. on 2 2. Aguilera/Payne .............................. 9.3 3. Buckaloo/Braman IV ..................... 9.6 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Cree Minkoff ................. 168 pts. on 2 2. Kade Bruno .................................. 167 3. Isaac Diaz ................................. 161.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Riley Pruitt ............................ 7.4 sec. 2. Hunter Herrin ................................ 7.7 (tie) Two at .................................... 7.7 BULL RIDING 1. Parker McCown .............160 pts. on 2 2. Tyler Taylor ............................... 156.5 3. Colten Beaty ........................ 86.5 on 1 ALL-AROUND COWBOY Marty Yates, $1,519, (tie-down roping and team roping)

James Phifer photo

Complete results/Page 50

Riley Pruitt clocked a 7.4-second time to win the Heart O’ Texas Rodeo in Waco, Texas. This was the third year in a row Pruitt won the rodeo.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/29/2021

ProRodeo Sports News 10/29/2021

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