ProRodeo Sports News - September 16, 2022

MAGIC VALLEY STAMPEDE FILER, IDAHO Hooper eyes another trip to Wrangler NFR Focused

BY JOLEE JORDAN, Special to ProRodeo Sports News P roRodeo bareback riding in 2022 has been exceptional. A quick glance down the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with the regular season was closing showed with a tightly-packed field of competitors vying for the 15 positions available at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Knowing that fact, and sitting just inside the top 15, Tilden Hooper was keeping his eyes trained through the windshield and never the rearview mirror as the year was winding down. That was easier to do since the Texas bareback rider hit a hot streak as August ended. Just a week after earning his third title in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Hooper won again over Labor Day at the Magic Valley Stampede in Filer, Idaho, on Sept. 3. Hooper earned the victory at one of the final stops on the NFR Playoff Series presented by PendletonWhisky by covering Sankey Pro Rodeo & PhenomGenetics’ Bronc Riding Nation for 89 points. “That’s such a good horse,” said Hooper, 34. “I’ve been seeing him for a few years now but never had the chance to get on him. I’ve been at a bunch of rodeos with that horse, but it seemed like he was always one or two guys away fromme down the (draw) list so I’d never had the chance at him.” Hooper got a good scouting report from fellow riders and hauling partners, Cole Reiner, and Kaycee Feild. “Kaycee and Cole had both been on him and said how much fun that horse was,” Hooper said. “Man, they kind of undersold the deal.” “He was a so much fun and I’m just thankful anytime for the chance to get on horses like that.” Hooper didn’t recall ever winning Filer in the past but said it was a rodeo that had been good to him. “I think I’ve won second or third there a couple of times, so it’s been good.” Hooper earned $3,772 for the win and picked up another $6,514 at Ellensburg, Wash., and Plains, Mont. It brought his two week earnings total to $19,146, money that comes at a crucial time as Hooper battles the standings bubble chasing his ninth qualification to the Wrangler NFR. “It’s as tight as I’ve seen it,” he said of the standings. “Everybody’s riding good right now. It’s a good race and I’m glad to be a part of it.” Following the Cinch Playoff in Puyallup Sept. 11, Hooper was able to sneak in a quick visit home to see his family before the final push of the last few weeks of the season. Son Tell is almost 2, and keeps dad running on his “days off.” “He’s all over the place,” Hooper laughed. “He’s into tractors, dogs, trying to ride the dogs. He loves his little cowboy hat. He’s awesome.” The breaks from the road are crucial to Hooper, particularly as he gets older. “I always take a big break after the season ends,” he said. “I try to forget about rodeo for a couple of weeks.” “I usually make it about four days,” he joked. “But, at my age, the breaks are more effective because when you’re out there going so hard, going to a ton of rodeos, you tend to get where you’re just going through the motions. I like the break, so you refresh, reset and come back craving it.”

TOP MONEY EARNER TOP SCORES

Stetson Wright ($8,793, saddle bronc and bull riding - includes ground money) BAREBACK RIDING

Wright

1. Tilden Hooper.......................... 89 pts. 2. Orin Larsen.................................. 87.5 3. Clayton Biglow................................ 87 STEER WRESTLING 1. Trell Etbauer............................ 3.2 sec. 2. Kyle Irwin. .................................... 3.3 3. Kalane Anders ............................... 3.4 TEAM ROPING 1. T. Tomlinson/P. Smith............. 4.0 sec. 2. P. Egurrola/JC Flake....................... 4.6 (Tie) H. Peterson/D. Ahlstrom ...... 4.6 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Layton Green.......................... 90 pts. 2. Sterling Crawley. ........................ 88.5 (Tie) Mitch Pollock. ..................... 88.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Riley Webb. ............................ 7.5 sec. 2. Marty Yates.................................... 7.9 3. John Douch................................... 8.0 BARREL RACING 1. Molly Otto........................... 17.09 sec. 2. Summer Kosel........................... 17.18 3. Margo Crowther. ....................... 17.27 BULL RIDING 1. Stetson Wright . ..................... 88 pts. 2. Dalan Duncan . .............................. 82 No Other Qualified Rides

Complete results/Page 55

Amanda Dilworth photo Bareback rider Tilden Hooper won the Magic Valley Stampede with an 89-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Bronc Riding Nation.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/16/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 9/16/2022

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