PublicationProRodeo Sports News - March 22, 2019

UPDATE

BY TRACY RENCK B eing atop the 2019 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings at the Texas, and RodeoHouston counting in the world standings. Event winners at those two lucrative rodeos earned a minimum of $50,000 in the world standings. Add to the fact that the high-dollar San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo concluded the weekend beforeThe American, and it’s no wonder cowboys have earned more money than ever at the halfway mark of the season. Only three events have leaders with less money won than last year at this time – all-around, bull riding and steer roping. The remaining event leaders through March 19 had significantly more money earned this season compared to leaders at the same time in 2018. Leading the money charge at the halfway point is four-time world champion bareback rider Kaycee Feild with $104,013. Feild gave his season earnings a massive jolt by earning a combined $95,167 at San Antonio, The Halfway Home midpoint of the season doesn’t garner much acclaim, but it sure can boost the confidence in a cowboy. Especially this season, withThe American in Arlington,

Ryder Wright on Frontier Rodeo’s Delta Force at the 2018 Wrangler NFR. Wright is leading the world standings with more than $100,000. PRCA ProRodeo photo by James Phifer

Season’s midway point has cowboys talking about lucrative rodeos

American and Houston, tops among all contestants in any event at those three rodeos. “To see your name at the top, it is very motivating,” said Feild, who won his world titles from 2011 through 2014. “That adds some pressure, but I love having that little pressure and little edge. I’m going to rodeo throughout the summer a little bit differently. I’m going to treat the rest of the year like this is practice getting myself ready for the NFR. My main goal is a world championship.” The addition of The American and RodeoHouston to the 2019 PRCA schedule is something Feild praised. “Those rodeos are great rodeos, and to have them count in the standings makes perfect sense,” said Feild, who qualified for the Wrangler NFR last season in seventh place with $111,022. “It is a good thing for the sport of rodeo and for a cowboy competing. With the three rounds that you have at Houston and the two semifinals and the finals, you have six ways to win money. Obviously, you have to do well to get to the end, but also in those six times they pay five holes, you have a lot of opportunity to get money. Add that in with what they do at San Antonio andThe American and it is a good thing. All the top guys I’ve talked to absolutely love it.”

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ProRodeo Sports News 3/22/2019