ProRodeo Sports News - Sept. 7, 2018

rodeos. They’re in my wheelhouse now.” Last year, he was 124th in the world standings. As of Aug. 27, he was 51st with $23,738 this season and second in the Columbia River Circuit because he’s working on a different turf, the landscaping variety. “We grow turf and hay, and we were in the middle of third cutting so it was busy,” Santucci said. “I turned out of Bremerton (Wash.), and so I was happy to go to one and win something.” Santucci’s friend and fellow bulldogger Jesse Brown agreed that the relaxed approach works for Santucci. “He’s been home a bunch,” Brown said. “When he is there, he is relaxed and not putting any pressure on himself. Not making every steer your last steer makes it more fun and easier to win.” BIGVICTORY At Kennewick, Santucci placed fifth in the first round and was in a three- way tie for sixth place in the second round. He went on to place sixth in the final round to claim the average. “I haven’t had a whole lot of luck at Kennewick,” Santucci said. “I’m usually a long setup guy. They added a foot to the barrier, and it fit my game plan. In the South, some guys bulldog phenomenally and then come here and the scores are longer, so it’s a homefield advantage.” That advantage added up to a $6,173 payday at Kennewick. “It’s a pretty neat feeling to come out with that kind of money,” Santucci said, adding that it’s one of the biggest wins of his career. “With Kennewick ponying up and HORSE HEAVEN ROUND-UP

Horse is also used by Brown and Mike McGinn.

“I’ve had him four or five years now, and he wasn’t a bulldogging horse when I bought him,” Santucci said. “I made him, and he’s getting better and better. I turned him over to them, and I showed up (at Kennewick) and he was ready to go. That made it easy for me, having those guys get him sharp and ready.” Chopper has helped Brown get to 36th in the world standings. McGinn is third in the Columbia River Circuit. “He’s just a great horse,” Brown said. “He’s good in the box, tries as hard as he can ALL INTHE FAMILY Santucci also participates in team roping, but he prefers to bulldog since he doesn’t need to coordinate having a partner. “I like the guys, the camaraderie between steer wrestlers has been strong, and they’re all out for each other and good guys,” Santucci said. “They help you out. That’s what I’m planning to do this fall, take some younger kids and pass it on. Dan Ackley started me, and he’d come help me for four or five years and got me on my way.” Santucci doesn’t plan to return to rodeoing full time, preferring to stay close to home. “I’ll go to some winter rodeos and the ones I’m qualified for,” Santucci said. “But if the stars align, I’ll try for it and see what I can get done. As far as committing to the road, I have two kids and a wife (Brittany), and a farm/ranch. I’mmore committed to this now. “We have a 4-month-old daughter (Savvy) that’s hard to be away from, and my little boy (Syd) is 3, so I’m having fun and enjoying my time with them.” Being a family man doesn’t mean Santucci is without rodeo goals. He wants to win the circuit a couple more times. “The temptation is always there to go to the Finals, but it all has to line up perfectly for me to commit to it,” Santucci said. “I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it is improbable.” every time and gives you a great go.”

adding money and rodeos working to improve themselves, it’s good to do well at rodeos like that.” This season, Santucci also won the RAMColumbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo in Yakima, Wash., and the all- around at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz. “My horse is working great,” Santucci said. “He’s been doing phenomenal.” Santucci isn’t the only one riding Chopper. The 17-year-old American Quarter

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Complete results on Page 47

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Ryder Wright ........... 169.5 pts. on two 2. Jake Watson ............................... 166.5 3. Jacobs Crawley .......................... 164.5 4. Isaac Diaz ...................................... 164

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shane Hanchey ....... 24.7 sec. on three 2. Randall Carlisle ............................. 26.2 3. Tuf Cooper .................................... 26.7 4. Adam Gray .................................... 26.8

BARREL RACING 1. Carley Richardson ... 34.56 sec. on two 2. Jana Bean ................................... 34.75 3. Lexi Burgess ............................... 34.80 4. Jessi Fish .................................... 34.81

BULL RIDING 1. Stetson Wright ........ 170.5 pts. on two 2. Sage Kimzey ............................... 169.5 3. Joseph McConnel ....................... 165.5 4. Boudreaux Campbell .................. 160.5

ProRodeo Sports News 9/7/2018

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