PublicationProRodeo Sports News - February 22, 2019

Tie-down roper Marty Yates competes during the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas. Yates became the last tie-down roper to win the average at the Will Rogers Coliseum as the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show ended its 75-year run at the Will Rogers Coliseum. The rodeo is moving to Dickies Arena in Fort Worth in 2020. James Phifer photo

Yates snares emotional win in FortWorth BY TRACY RENCK E motions were running high for tie-down roper Marty Yates before competing at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas. On Jan. 22, Yates’ uncle, RowHampton, whom Yates was close to, died unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. He was 43. With a heavy heart, Yates roped superbly in Fort Worth, winning the average with a 26.6-second time on three head. BREUER MAKESTRIPWORTHWHILE Mother Nature made things tough on bareback rider Ty Breuer, as he traveled to the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. Breuer left his home in Mandan, N.D., to pick up his traveling partner, Tanner Aus, in Sioux Falls, S.D., before heading to Fort Worth. They hit bad weather and slick roads on the trek.

“We figured we would drive out of the bad roads, but we didn’t end up driving out of it until Oklahoma City, so it felt really good to get something (from Fort Worth),” Breuer said. “The roads were pretty icy. It’s a good thing we left early, because we left two days early and it took about all that to get there.” Breuer showed no signs of being a weary traveler, winning the average with 336.5 points on four head. He departed Fort Worth after earning $8,729. “That was a good way to start the winter run off, that’s for sure,” Breuer said. Breuer also captured the win in the final round with an 89.5-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s River Bugs. “I had never ridden that horse before, and she was electric and did everything you want a bucking horse to do,” Breuer said. With the win, Breuer scooted up to second in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. As of Feb. 20, he had $23,199. Breuer is a four-time qualifier for the Wrangler NFR (2013, 2016-18).

“It has been a hard time for the whole family,” said Yates, 24. “Losing someone young like that who had a lot of life left to live was hard on everybody. It was good for me to get a win like this for the family.” The Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show ended its 75-year run in the Will Rogers Coliseum on Feb. 9. The rodeo, which is a stop on the 2019 ProRodeo Tour, is moving to Dickies Arena in Fort Worth in 2020. “This was awesome to get this win and a dream come true,” said Yates, who lives in Stephenville. “It’s a bucket-list win, and I’m glad I accomplished this goal. I grew up going to that rodeo and watching slack as a little kid. I loved watching guys rope in that building. To be the last (tie-down roping) champion over there (in that building) is a big deal.” Yates earned $15,919 in Fort Worth. As of Feb. 20, Yates was second in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $38,239. Yates has qualified for the Wrangler NFR the last five years.

ProRodeo Sports News 2/22/2019

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