ProRodeo Sports News - September 1, 2023

PRORODEO SEASON

Making History Ric Andersen photo Dalton Massey, shown competing at the Utah Day of ’47 Rodeo, set the PRCA regular season earnings record, surpassing Ty Erickson’s record of $163,152 set in 2017.

Dalton Massey, Cole Patterson break PRCA regular season earnings record

BY TANNER BARTH & TRACY RENCK T he arc of steer wrestler Dalton Massey’s career has gone nearly straight up since his Resistol Rookie season of ProRodeo in 2014. That year, he entered his name in just 19 rodeos scattered throughout the Pacific Northwest. When his rookie season came to an end, he had won just $1,388. It was a steady climb over the next four years, but even that total came out to just $24,340. But he never lost sight of his goals. Fast forward 10 years later and he’s rewriting the ProRodeo record books one steer at a time. With over a month left to go in the 2023 season, the Hermiston, Ore., cowboy has earned $164,649, which surpasses steer wrestler Ty Erickson’s record of $163,152 for the most money won in a single regular season before the NFR in the event. Erickson set the mark in 2017. “It’s just been a great year you know,” said Massey, 30. “I’ve had a lot of great chances everywhere I’ve competed at. The horse (Tanner Milan’s horse Eddie) that I have been riding this year has been awesome. I’ve just

tried to use all the opportunities that I can get out here rodeoing.” Massey sits No. 1 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, before this season he had never finished higher than 17th, which he did a year ago with $67,349. His 2023 campaign was highlighted by winning the $50,000 check at RodeoHouston. It’s been a constant progression over the last decade. “You know I got married last year and my wife and I bought a house. I have bills now, so you can’t go without winning,” he said. “I needed to step it up. Being 19th, 16th, and 17th just wasn’t cutting it and I knew that. I’ve also been saying that for two years, but I wasn’t about to quit. I’ve put my life into this deal, and I was going to see it through no matter what.” His passion and love for the sport is shining brightly. He said he wrote down his goals before the season began and up to

ProRodeo Sports News 9/1/2023

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