ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 21, 2018

WRANGLER NFR NEWS & NOTES

CEOGeorge Taylor and JCCF board member Mike Rich. “One of the great things about the role I have at the PRCA is the work I get to do with the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund,” Taylor said. “You don’t have to sit across from very many of our cowboys and cowgirls to understand how important this is and how much they appreciate it. We thank all of our sponsors, and we thank you all in this room for what you are doing and look forward to another great year.” Jesse Pope wins permit challenge Bareback rider Jesse Pope won the 2018 Permit Members of the Year Challenge with 153 points on two head. “It was quite an experience and second to none,” Pope said. “There’s nothing else like it for a permit guy.” Just like there’s a driver’s permit before earning a full license, PRCA contestants hold a permit before they earn their cards. For the ninth year in a row, up-and- coming ProRodeo stars competed in Las Vegas for the coveted title of top permit member. The permit challenge brought together the top five permit holders in each event to the South Point Equestrian Center, Dec. 6. “You’re in Las Vegas, so it gives you a feel for it,” Pope said. “I tried to look at it like it’s just another rodeo, but in all reality it’s not. It’s the permit finals, so it’s not just a simple rodeo in the middle of nowhere.” The 20-year-old fromMarshall, Mo., placed fourth in the first round with 71 points and won the second round with 82 points on Various’ Deep Springs Lot 44. The permit challenge is held in

During the style show of a luncheon fundraiser for the JCCF, rodeo contestants and volunteers modeled Western fashions. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Billie-Jean Duff

conjunction with the World-Famous Benny Binion’s Bucking Horse and Bull Sale. Proceeds benefit the ProRodeo Hall of Fame &Museum of the American Cowboy. “… Being on your permit is what you rodeo for all year, since it helps get your name out there,” Pope said. “There are a bunch of guys there for the Finals, the stock contractors from all over the U.S. because of the sale and all the judges, too.” It’s common for contestants in the permit challenge to return to Las Vegas to compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Clayton Biglow, of Clements, Calif., won the 2015 permit challenge bareback riding title, then made his Wrangler NFR debut as the 2016 PRCA | Resistol Rookie of the Year and has qualified for every Wrangler NFR since. Pope ranked third in the 2018 RAMRodeo Permit Standings for bareback riding with $19,687. He’s already leading the 2019 PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings for bareback riding with $8,912.

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ProRodeo Sports News 12/21/2018

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