In the world of pro rodeo, competitors had the opportunity to lasso lots of prize money in January and February.
There was the RFD-TV’s The American at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium on Feb. 19 that offered competitors $2 million, a record purse for a single performance rodeo. And there was the Feb. 14-17 American Semifinals at Fort Worth’s Cowtown Coliseum, which offered competitors $941,375.
Competitors also cashed in at the traditional, high-profile Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association/Women’s Professional Rodeo Association winter stock show rodeos in cities such as Denver, Fort Worth, San Antonio, San Angelo, Jackson, Miss., and Tucson, Ariz. They also benefited from Shootout rodeos (five events) and PRCA Xtreme Bulls shows at some of the stock shows.
With all of that rush of activity, some competitors filled their saddle bags with prize money.
For example, bareback rider Tim O’Connell, the 2016 PRCA champion, clinched the title at PRCA rodeos in Denver on Jan. 22 ($9,252 in earnings) and Fort Worth on Feb. 4 ($11,966) and finished second in San Antonio on Feb. 25 ($21,407). The Iowa cowboy also won Fort Worth’s Super Shootout Rodeo on Jan. 19 ($10,000) and The American on Feb. 19 ($100,000).
Another success story was barrel racer Hailey Kinsel, a Texas A&M senior who pocketed $433,333 after clinching the barrel racing title at The American. She also earned more than $20,000 in the American Semifinals.
Tie-down roper Marty Yates of Stephenville won The American ($100,000), the Cinch Chute Out Rodeo in San Angelo on Feb. 18 ($12,500) and the Feb. 9-15 PRCA show in Jackson, Miss. ($9,153). Yates also pocketed $12,011 during the preliminary rounds at the San Antonio PRCA rodeo. But during the finals, he missed.
–Brett Hoffman
For more information, visit: http://www.gosanangelo.com/story/sports/rodeo/2017/03/02/first-two-months-year-critical-rodeo-competitors/98644956/