PublicationProRodeo Sports News - February 22, 2019

UPCOMING

Last year, saddle bronc rider Ryan MacKenzie was among those competing at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., where the payout exceeded $750,000. This year, the payout is expected to be similar. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Billie-Jean Duff

Chambers had plenty of reasons to celebrate in Kissimmee last year after launching 25 spots up the world standings – from 34th to ninth – by winning $17,058 at the RAMNCFR. That gave Chambers a good idea of what he needed to do for the remainder of the season, he said. “Last year was the first year I went hard,” Chambers said. “I didn’t go toThe American and Houston, so those will be new rodeos for me, but I’m excited to make a run at that kind of money – and for that much money to be counting for the world standings is huge.” Chambers went on to compete at the Wrangler NFR and finished second in the 2018 world standings. Now, he’s gearing up for a bigger season. “It’ll be crazy to go fromThe American first, then Houston and then Florida and then come back to Austin,” Chambers said of his upcoming 2,300- mile road trip. “I’m down south now practicing and trying to get ready for all the rodeos we have coming up. The winter rodeos are so good that to win that much money you have to prepare the best way you can and know the setups. It’s my job to talk to people and figure out what you need to do for yourself.” Of course, there’s plenty to do outside the arena, and each competition’s options are different. “Fort Worth has the stock yards to hang out at and eat a good steak, that’s always fun,” Summers said. “Then we have some friends north of Fort Worth, so we go hang out and rope and they have some race horses to check out. “Kissimmee is fun too, I’ve been there my whole life since I’m from Florida. There are a lot of people we were friends with growing up and we catch up – it’s great to see old friends.”

won $14,017 each there last year. Neither roper was in the top 50 before Austin, but after the rodeo Crawford was 13th in the team roping heading standings and Summers was 10th among team roping heelers. Crawford ended the 2018 season ranked 31st, while Summers went on to qualify for the Wrangler NFR. “Between February and March those are two pretty big months,” Crawford said. “And one reason I moved to Texas was for the number of good rodeos down here and the opportunities a guy has in Texas.” Crawford is particularly optimistic this year because logistically his schedule for the next few weeks fits all the big ones in Texas. “It’s hard to get up the right way so we’re fortunate to get up when we need to go,” Crawford said. Despite all the festivities surrounding each of these big rodeos, Crawford said it’s unlikely he’ll have time to join in the fun. “The competition is fierce in this day and age, so the guys who work the hardest tend to do the best,” Crawford said. Steer wrestler Bridger Chambers is of the same mindset – it’s all business with only rodeo on his mind. “It’s all about focusing on the job at hand,” Chambers said. RAM NCFR The 2018 RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo was in April, but this year it’s March 21-24 to coincide with spring break and the CountryThunder Music Festival, which means larger crowds and more entertainment.

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ProRodeo Sports News 2/22/2019