ProRodeo Sports News - September 2, 2022

PRORODEO COWBOYS

Bareback riding world champ Will Lowe still competing at 39 Lowe’s Longevity Jackie Jensen photo Will Lowe is still going strong after all these years as he had an 86-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Flashcard Champ in July at the Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyo.

BY JOLEE JORDAN Special to ProRodeo Sports News T ime stops for no man, but it feels like maybe it just drags its feet a bit for Will Lowe. As of Aug. 31, Lowe sat 37th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. He’s picked up $27,917 in ProRodeo so far this season, a feat made remarkable not only for his age, 39 years, but also for his event, bareback riding, rightly called the most physically demanding of all the events in the sport. “I don’t move quite as fast as I used to,” Lowe noted with a laugh. “But I still enjoy it and I’m having fun.” Lowe is a three-time PRCAWorld Champion, earning his titles in 2003 and back-to-back in 2005 and 2006, in the midst of 15 qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The last came in 2018. After finishing 18th in the final world standings, a year ago, the ageless cowboy was positioned to make yet another run at the Finals in

2022; after finishing fourth at RodeoHouston in March, Lowe suffered an injury, which derailed his march toward the all-time qualifications record in bareback riding, currently 19 earned by Bruce Ford. “I broke my kneecap in March,” he said. “I don’t know exactly when or where it happened.” Lowe took a big break, returning to action at the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo in late June. “I’m still going but it’s different with kids,” he said. “And my shoulders are bad, so they get sore on me, and I have to take some time out.” In the waning weeks of August, Lowe also suffered a separated collarbone, where it ties into the sternum. “It’s like a dislocated joint and that’s been really sore, so I decided to take two weeks off,” the Amarillo, Texas, resident admitted. “But I’ll go to Elk City and Dayton, just ease around to the closer ones.” Lowe’s sons, Garrett, and Levi are 13 and 10, respectively and busy

ProRodeo Sports News 9/2/2022

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