ProRodeo Sports News - Sept. 7, 2018

RANCHO MISSION VIEJO RODEO

it is good roping with a young guy because they are so hungry and trying to get to the next level.” Flenniken is glad he can draw from his faith and Minor’s experience. “Roping with Jake, he never gets too up or too down, so I’ve learned from him about that and that’s helped me mentally,” Flenniken said. “My faith also means everything to me. It comes first in everything I

pushed us right back up there and gives us a great chance to make the Finals. This will give us a huge confidence boost.” Minor, who qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2016 and 2017 with Garrett Rogers, also knew how crucial the San Juan Capistrano win was. “I had been to San Juan three times before this year, and I had never done any good there,” Minor said. “I wasn’t feeling much pressure, and we were able to get the job done. This was huge. We have a chance now (to make the Finals). We had a rough few weeks. The timing of this was perfect. We still have to win a lot, but at least now we are right in the mix.” ELVIS DIDN’T LEAVETHE BUILDING The San Juan Capistrano victory was quite an achievement for Flenniken, since he was riding his friend Steven Duby’s horse, Elvis, for the first time. “I’ve watched that horse a lot, but I still was nervous because I had never run a steer on him before,” Flenniken said. “The steer left there pretty sharp, and the horse just scored outstanding. It was smooth, and he handled the steer great. The best part was how good he finished. It was crazy how well things went.” Flenniken’s primary horse is Black Eagle, 11. “I have owned that horse for three years, and I have ridden him pretty much everywhere this season,” he said. “He’s goofy-acting, but he has calmed down and worked well for me.” At San Juan, Minor was riding Fabio, 9, a horse he purchased in February from 2016 Team Roping Heeling World Champion Jeremy Buhler. Minor also has two other horses, Cat, 9, and Tickle, 13, in his stable. “I’ve been pretty lucky to have two good horses (Fabio and Cat) right now, and I also use Tickle,” he said. “That sure helps a lot.” PARTNERSHIPWORKING Minor grew up around roping in Ellensburg, Wash. He joined the PRCA in December 2010 and has made a living as a team roping heeler, earning more than $330,000. His cousins Riley and Brady Minor have roped together at the Wrangler NFR eight times. His cousin, Jason, also is a PRCA team roping header. “I really got into roping in high school and that’s when I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Jake said. “It’s been good (growing up in this family). I got to go to Arizona and live with them (Riley and Brady) while I was in high school. Riley would always turn me a lot of steers and that helped a lot, and I would always watch Brady rope, and he made me better.” Flenniken and Jake Minor’s partnership wasn’t spur of the moment. “I’ve known him forever, and I go practice at his house (in Caldwell, Idaho) when I’m up there,” Jake said. “I’ve known he roped good forever. Last year he mainly did circuit rodeos, and I didn’t really have a partner after this winter and asked him if he wanted to try it out. It has been great. He’s a real good kid, and he ropes awesome. I think

do, and I feel like it is the only way I’ve been able to get through the ups and downs of rodeo. Without talking to God and reading the Bible, I probably would have gone home already this season because the ups and downs are so tough.” Flenniken has goals in reach. “It would be amazing if we could make the NFR and I could win rookie of the year,” he said. “I feel super blessed and thankful that I’ve been able to do this well in my first year.” Minor would love nothing more than to make reservations again for the Wrangler NFR in December in Las Vegas. “It was a dream come true (to be able to go twice), this is all I have ever wanted to do,” Minor said. “It is pretty amazing going at that much money, and it’s such a cool environment. It sure would be awesome to go back this year because I really think Jeff and I would do well there.”

Bareback rider Tilden Hooper set a Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo record when he rode C5 Rodeo’s Virgil for 90.5 points at the Aug. 25-26 rodeo. Matt Cohen photo

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. (tie) Colt Gordon .................... 85.5 pts. Rusty Wright ................................ 85.5 Wade Sundell ............................... 85.5 4. Layton Green ................................... 85

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. (tie) Taylor Santos .................. 8.5 sec. Timber Moore ................................. 8.5 3. Tyler Milligan .................................. 8.8 4. Blane Cox ....................................... 8.9

BULL RIDING 1. Roscoe Jarboe ....................... 89.5 pts. 2. Elliot Jacoby .................................... 89 3. Cole Melancon ................................. 88 4. Jeff Askey ..................................... 85.5

Complete results on Page 51

ProRodeo Sports News 9/7/2018

ProRodeo.com

39