The ProRodeo Sports News - March 6, 2020

SAN ANTONIO

Clements’ 91 on Gunfire takes crown

The 2019 season didn’t end how bareback rider Mason Clements wanted, missing what would have been his third consecutive Wrangler NFR qualification by a mere $1,745. But the 2020 season is starting off exactly how he’d hoped, including a $23,500 win in San Antonio. “It’s still winter really, and to have a big win like this is everything,” Clements said. “To miss the NFR by $2,000 last year and then have a good start this year means everything. To be healthy and to come out on top and still healthy and to go to the next big rodeo with your confidence up is just something to build on.” Clements came close to winning San Antonio twice before, including winning the final round in 2018 with a 90-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Special Delivery but came up short in total money. He missed the 2019 San Antonio rodeo due to injuries. “That was on my start-of-the-season bucket list, and to have (Frontier Rodeo’s) Gunfire in the draw was awesome,” Clements said. “I’ve had a heck of a time with him every time and knew if I could get a good start (on Gunfire) I could finish good.” Clements’ reason to choosing Gunfire was simple. “I wanted my redemption on that sucker,” Clements said, adding he’d posted an 85.5-point ride on Gunfire during Round 10 of the 2018Wrangler NFR. “I had my heart set on Gunfire.” This time, they combined with a 91-point ride in the final round to win the San Antonio title and push Clements from 10th to second in the world standings. “It’s a lot of money but it’s a long season,” Clements said. “It takes 50-60 rodeos to make the Finals and this is No. 5 for me.”

Robby Freeman photo Mason Clements scored 91 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Gunfire in the final round to take home a San Antonio buckle and $23,500.

Egusquiza, Graves leave as team roping champs Team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and Travis Graves didn’t win the finals in San Antonio outright.

19), was riding Chip, 10, at the AT&T Center. “This is the first year Dustin and I have roped together, and we have been doing well,” Graves said. “I’m excited about the rest of the season.” Egusquiza, a two-time Wrangler NFR qualifier (2017-18), praised Graves. “We have had a pretty good start to the year, and it is amazing to win this rodeo,” Egusquiza said. “This is one of the main rodeos I always wanted to win, and it feels great. Winning ($24,000) here just gives you that much more confidence for the rest of the year.” Egusquiza was riding his horse Dude, 14. He has owned Dude since it was 4. “I’m so happy that we won (San Antonio),” Egusquiza said. “I want to keep our momentum going.”

They settled for a tie with Matt Sherwood and Trey Yates. But by earning $13,500 in the finals, Egusquiza and Graves won the title after compiling $24,000 each in San Antonio. It was Graves’ second career San Antonio win. He also accomplished the feat in 2008 with Turtle Powell as his header. Egusquiza and Graves’ 4.0-second time in the finals, the same time Sherwood and Yates posted, was enough to put the pair over the top. “You never forget a win like this,” Graves said. “Everybody wants to win San Antonio. It’s awesome. It pays so much. We won $24,000 and that helps our year out so much.” Graves, an 11-time Wrangler NFR qualifier (2008, 2010-

ProRodeo Sports News 3/6/2020

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