ProRodeo Sports News - September 21, 2018

Rich Skelton, so there were a bunch of plusses on that one run.” Skelton was glad to lend his talent to the victory. “Any time you can win, it is fun,” he said. “Derrick needed a little bit more to make the Finals, and I was glad to help him do that. I needed some more to try and get in San Antonio and be in the top 40 (in the world standings). It was a win for everybody. We had a nice steer. Derrick has been rodeoing and is on top of his game, and he turned me a really nice steer. It was a perfect storm.” Skelton moved up to 44th in the Sept. 17 world standings with $30,593. “We didn’t hoop and holler and give each other high-fives after our run, because nowadays you have to be happy inside and not show it because the very next team could go 3.9 seconds,” Begay said. “Nowadays, four-flat could win fifth, but it was great that our time held (for the win).” Begay was riding his longtime horse, Swagger, in the Duke City, a horse he has had since 2007. Skelton was aboard Bay, 8. “It’s cool that you can be in the Hall of Fame and still be competitive,” Skelton said. “That’s the biggest part for me that I’m still competitive, because Bay can really run. I’m still having fun roping.” Begay plans to rope with Petska at the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas, Dec. 6-15. Begay will be making his eighth trip to the Wrangler NFR – he also went in 2008-13 and 2015. In 2015, while roping with Clay O’Brien Cooper at the Finals, Begay finished a career- best third in the world standings. “Cory lives down here in (Marana) Arizona, and that’s where I’m from,” Begay said. “We’ve roped quite a bit together, but never in the PRCA until this year. It has been a really good season. This is the best year I’ve ever had production-wise. The first year I made the NFR I was really excited. After that, it kind of became a job and it happened every year. But now, going back this year feels like the first time again, and I’m looking forward to it.” Skelton believes Begay has gold-buckle ability. “He’s one of the best headers who has never won a world championship,” Skelton said. “He ropes outstanding, and he’s just a great guy. He has a really nice horse for that situation, and I look for him to do really well at the NFR.” LOOKINGAHEAD

Bareback rider Bill

Tutor had a 91.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Flight. Tutor earned $4,434. He was fifth in the Sept. 17 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $117,872.

Ric Andersen photo

Complete results on Page 60

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Leon Fountain ........................ 86.5 pts. 2. (tie) Bradley Harter .......................... 86 Joey Sonnier III ............................... 86 Taos Muncy ..................................... 86

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Cimarron Boardman ............... 7.6 sec. 2. Cody Craig ...................................... 7.9 3. Sterling Smith ................................ 8.1 4. Tuf Cooper ...................................... 8.2

BARREL RACING 1. Leia Pluemer ...................... 15.11 sec. 2. Jessi Fish .................................... 15.20 3. Amberleigh Moore ...................... 15.22 4. Two tied at .................................. 15.23

BULL RIDING 1. Trey Kimzey ........................... 89.5 pts. 2. Joseph McConnel ............................ 88 3. (tie) Trevor Kastner ....................... 87.5 Brody Yeary .................................. 87.5

ProRodeo Sports News 9/21/2018

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