ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 21, 2018

HORSES OF

THE YEAR

Tyler Pearson on Scooter at the 2018 Wrangler NFR. PRCA ProRodeo photo by James Phifer

TOP HORSES PRCA | AQHA TEAM ROPING-HEADING 1. RK Tuff Trinket (Bob); rider: Riley Minor; owner: Riley Minor 2. Tuffys Badger Chex (Badger); rider: Kolton Schmidt; owner: Ronald Schmidt 3. Pepinic Buck (Festus); rider: Rhen Richard; owner: A & C Racing & Roping TEAM ROPING-HEELING 1. Zans Colonel Shine (Colonel); rider: Jake Long; owner: Jake & Tasha Long 2. Lula Dual (Lula); rider: Joseph Harrison; owner: Bobby Lewis 3. Leos Highbrow (Sug); rider: Brady Minor; owner: Brady Minor TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Little Smart Leo (Big Time); rider: Tyler Milligan; owner: Tyler Milligan 2. Lights On Cd (Patron); rider: Rhen Richard; owner: A & C Racing & Roping 3. Arrogant Cutter (Snoopy); rider: Ryan Jarrett; owner: Ryan Jarrett STEER ROPING 1. Cooperslittletoy (Cooper); rider: Chris Glover; owner: Chris Glover 2. Sixs Rowdy Man (Lawdog); rider: Jarrett Blessing; owner: Jarrett & Jessica Blessing 3. At War Leo (Punchy); rider: Cody Lee; owner: Cody Lee STEER WRESTLING 1. Canted Plan (Scooter); riders: Tyler Pearson, Kyle Irwin, Tyler Waguespack, Justin Shaffer; owners: Tyler Pearson/Kyle Irwin 2. RGR Ryon (Maverick); riders: Tom Lewis, others; owner: Peggy Lewis 3. Famous Hot Chick (Holly); riders: Chason Floyd, Tanner Brunner, others; owner: R2m2z BARREL RACING 1. DM Sissy Hayday (Sister); rider: Hailey Kinsel; owner: Dan & Leslie Kinsel 2. KN Fabs Gift Of Fame (JLo); rider: Ivy Conrado; owners: Kenny Nichols & James Barron 3. Rafter W Minnie Reba (Sister); rider: Nellie Miller; owner: Sam Williams

Horsing Around Top horses honored for rodeo performance

BY MATT NABER T he 2018 PRCA | AQHAHorses of the Year played pivotal roles in this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications. Tyler Pearson and Kyle Irwin bought Canted Plan “Scooter,” 13, in 2015 from Jason Reiss. Now, the horse has won Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year the last two years. “He’s just gotten better and better,” Pearson said. “I wouldn’t have this level of success without him. He’s been the game-changer in my and Kyle’s careers.” This was the fourth time team roping header Riley Minor has made the Wrangler NFR by competing on RK Tuff Trinket “Bob.” This 16-year-old, American Quarter Horse gelding is versatile and brings a lot of try to the arena. “He’s been second place for Horse of the Year before, and I know he’s a good horse with a few quirks,” Minor said. “You’re only as good as your horse, and he’s definitely changed my game. When I’m on him, I’mmore confident and I know I’m going to win.” Team roping heeler Jake Long’s horse Zans Colonel Shine “Colonel” has won PRCA | AQHA Horse of the Year three consecutive years and

has helped Long to five Wrangler NFRs. Long competed on Colonel, 14, in Las Vegas for a sixth time after finishing eighth in the 2018 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings during the regular season. “From the get-go he was like nothing I’d ridden before,” Long said. “It’s unique for him to be so laid back and relaxed and still be something you know every time he goes in the box he will be ready to fire.” Tie-down roper Tyler Milligan’s horse Little Smart Leo “Big Time” didn’t have any rodeo experience when Milligan bought him three years ago in Duncan, Okla. By 2018, Big Time helped Milligan to his first Wrangler NFR. “I realized he was unique at the beginning of my rookie year last year when he started getting good,” Milligan said. “I wouldn’t have won near what I won this year if it wasn’t for him. And I wouldn’t have won Rookie of the Year in 2017.” Steer roper Chris Glover’s horse Cooperslittletoy “Cooper” only stands 14.3 hands tall, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in ability. Glover’s other horse, Champ, won Horse of the Year in 2016. “In steer roping, the horse is 90 percent of it,” Glover said. “He (Cooper) has a mind of his own and is ornery, that’s what makes him so good.”

ProRodeo Sports News 12/21/2018

ProRodeo.com

114

Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker