October 2008

October 1, 2008

Here we are again with another month behind us. I am happy to report that September was a good month that ended on a high note with me winning the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour Ariat Playoff in Omaha, Neb. I was able to pick-up $16,876 and close the gap a little between myself and Wade Sumpter, the No. 1 man in the world standings. The 2008 regular season rodeo year is practically in the books. There are only a handful of rodeos – the Heartland Finals in Waco, Texas; the Sinton, Texas rodeo that had to be rescheduled due to Hurricane Ike; and the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour Championship in Dallas - that will count toward our 2008 earnings. I won’t be competing in Waco or Sinton but will be in Dallas trying to close the gap before heading to Las Vegas in December.

Prior to heading to Omaha at the end of September, I picked up a big win in Albuquerque capturing the average in a total time of 7.4 seconds on two head. All totaled, I left New Mexico with $4,941 and a ton of momentum. From Albuquerque, I headed to Amarillo and El Paso, Texas. I tied for 1st in the second round in Amarillo with a time of 3.7 seconds and won a check totaling $1,365. In El Paso, I tied for fourth in the first round with a time of 3.8 seconds and won $648.

I was able to fly home for a couple days before flying back out to Omaha for the Ariat Playoffs. It was nice to be home and see my little boy, Cade. He is getting big and weighs about 10 pounds now. He is starting to have a little personality making noises and laughing. He and I enjoy watching TV together. It was nice to get away from the rodeo arena for a couple of days, so that I was a little fresher going into Omaha.

Omaha started off mediocre placing seventh in the first round with a time of 4.4 seconds. The second round was much better with a 3.5-second run, which was good for second in the round and a check worth $2,813. That also placed me second in the average with a two head time of 7.9 seconds and I picked up another check totaling $2,813 for the average finish. In the semifinals, I got a good start and was able to throw my steer in 3.6 seconds to finish atop the leaderboard. This was huge in that I picked up another check for $3,750 but it also meant that I would go last in the final round. The final round consisted of Cash Myers, Gabe LeDoux (one of my traveling partners), Dean Gorsuch and me. Since Wade Sumpter didn’t make the final round, I knew this was my chance to try and close the gap between us in the world standings.

I was excited when I learned that the steer I had drawn for the final round was the same one that Wade split the first round on in Omaha with a 3.8-second run. Since I was the last one to go I had a little idea of what I needed to do. Cash was leading the round with a 4.7, so I knew I just needed to get a clean start and then take care of my end. I got a great start on Willy (Curtis Cassidy’s horse) and Curtis did an awesome job of hazing. I was able to catch him quick and I stopped the clock in 3.8 seconds, to capture the win in Omaha.

This was the first time I had really done well in Omaha. I had placed a little in the past but it was great to get the win. Many people wonder if my approach changes at a big rodeo like Omaha, but my philosophy is that you have to go at every steer the same whether it is a $2,000 added rodeo or a rodeo like Omaha, Dallas or the NFR. You just go in run the steers and try to win as much money as you can each and every time.

Looking down the road to Las Vegas, I plan to ride Willy and have Gunner as my backup. I have lots of confidence knowing I have two great horses and I have another good one in Skids that I plan to leave at home but if necessary I will bring him up as well. I am in a good spot now in the world standings and if things fall my way in Dallas, I might win enough to pass Wade but if not I am fine with that as well. There is enough money available at the finals a couple good rounds and I can be right there in the No. 1 spot. In the end, it just matters where you are at on Dec. 13 and my goal is to be No. 1 and wearing another gold buckle.

So for the next month or so, I will be off hunting with my dad in Wyoming and New Mexico. This is always a time of the year that I look forward to as I love the outdoors and it is always good to get away from the rodeo arena. It gives me time to get my battery recharged before heading to Las Vegas for 10 tough rounds.

That is about all I have for now. I will check back in with you in another month with an update on Dallas. In the meantime, be sure to visit www.prorodeotour.com to see when the Ariat Playoffs will be broadcast in your area. I also hope to get some photos of Cade posted to my site soon.

So until next time, thanks for reading.

Luke