ProRodeo Sports News - Sept. 30, 2022

almost like you have a target on your back.”

WELCOME BACK

Last season, Feild made history by becoming the first bareback rider in the sport of rodeo to win six world titles, passing ProRodeo Hall of Famers Joe Alexander and Bruce Ford. He said getting to experience the 10 days with his entire family was just a cherry on top. “Looking back at it and having some time to think about it, it was one of the most fun 10 days I’ve ever had,” said Feild, 35. “At a young age winning four world titles and having it happen so fast you know there were so many things that I missed that I just didn’t know how to handle or just didn’t look for. Now, to experience this with my friends to my family to my support system it’s a fun gratifying feeling that I’ll never take for granted.” The King of Cowboys, Trevor Brazile, said it best while giving Waguespack advice early on in his career. “He said it’s a marathon, but a marathon where you have to sprint 10 nights in a row,’” Waguespack said. The veterans of the sport know the ins and outs of the Finals, but for a handful of cowboys and cowgirls 2022 will be the first time they step foot in theThomas &Mack as contestants. One of those is rookie bareback rider Rocker Steiner. Steiner, who leads the Resistol Rookie of the Year race, will be making his Wrangler NFR debut at just 18 years old. He comes from a family with a storied rodeo history, and he said this year’s qualification shows that all his hard work has paid off. “It means a lot to me. My family has pushed me really hard, and I feel like I’ve work really hard to get to this point,” said Rocker, son of 2002 PRCAWorld Champion Steer Wrestler Sid Steiner. “It’s nice to see all that work paying off. I don’t know if I could be more excited to be in those yellow bucking chutes in December.” Steiner won’t be the only cowboy with a family lineage tied to the sport of rodeo that’ll be making his NFR debut this season. After just missing out on the NFR a year ago, saddle bronc rider Logan Hay qualified for the 2022 Wrangler NFR, sitting inside the top 10 of the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings as of Sept. 28. “It’s a pretty cool feeling. You know missing the NFR by $1,500 last year and in 17th place it definitely lit a fire under me,” said Hay, 25. “I set my goals high at the beginning of the year. So, to finish the season and achieving them by making my first NFR is pretty crazy. I’m super excited.” Hay said he’s no stranger to Las Vegas after his father Rod qualified for the Finals 20 times and his brother Dawson twice. It was the 2021 NFR when he decided next year would be different and it would be him saddling up inside those yellow bucking chutes. “I’ve been to Vegas a ton of times. I went to Stace Smith’s futurity event there last year. I said to myself last year I don’t ever want to do that again,” he said. “I said next year I want to be here for myself and have a chance at the gold buckle. I still don’t think it’s really going to sink in until I step across my first one and I actually get to do it.” As for Steiner this is a moment he’s been dreaming of his entire life and he’s ready to put on a show for the faithful rodeo fans inside theThomas &Mack Center. “I’ve been ready to put a show on for those fans since I was about 13 years old and I’m planning on blowing the roof off that place,” Steiner said. The 2022Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge is set for Dec. 1-10 in Las Vegas.

2021 PRCA World Champions to qualify for the 2022 NFR: Bareback Riding: Kaycee Feild

Steer Wrestling: Tyler Waguespack Team Roping Header: Kaleb Driggers Team Roping Heeler: Junior Nogueira Tie-Down Roping: Caleb Smidt Barrel Racing: Jordon Briggs Bull Riding: Sage Kimzey

Hailey Rae photo Logan Hay shares a lighthearted moment before the Big Sky Pro Rodeo in Great Falls, Mont. He earned $137,647 during the ProRodeo regular season.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/30/2022

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