December 2009

December 31, 2009

Happy New Year to everyone! I thought I had better do one more update before the year 2009 is behind us. I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. I had a very nice one and had fun watching Cade open his packages. He is starting to get the hang of it all.

Congratulations to Lee Graves for winning the 2009 Steer Wrestling World title. It was a good race this year and was a challenge to the last steer. Although it didn’t end quite like I had hoped, Lee did what he needed to all year and at the finals to capture the gold. I would be lying if I said the final call didn’t make me sick, because it did. However, that was the call and like it or not I have to live with it. If I was meant to win, I would have.

Some have asked me following that 10th and final round, what I thought about instant replay. I definitely think it is something we should all look at especially for the Finals with that much money on the line not to mention a world title. I know over the last few years it could have been used and the calls may or may not have been overturned but at least the ride or run in question would have gotten another look to be sure. I am in favor of looking into what it would take to implement instant replay at the NFR for everyone (timed event and roughstock events). I know the PBR uses it and a contestant can hit the challenge button, which would be a great option to have in my opinion at the NFR.

Following the Finals, my wife, Lindsay and I flew to Australia for a steer wrestling school I had agreed to do months ago. Shane Kenny a steer wrestler and roper from Australia, who used to rodeo over here in the States, put the event together and I just had to show up. Brad McGilchrist, one of my traveling partners who is also Australian and Shane are good friends and when Shane came over to the States for a month earlier this year the three of us talked about it and got the ball rolling. The school was Dec. 18-20 and it was about 95-degrees as it was their summertime. The location was on the East coast in Emerald, Queensland, about two and a half hours from Rockhampton.

We left on the evening of Dec. 15 and flew to Australia, which was a nice long flight, and arrived on the 17th. The school started the next day and we had 27 guys which ranged in age from 17 to ones in their 40s. The school was really good and might be the best one I have done so far. On the second day we had a jackpot for the students and Cactus Saddlery had donated a saddle which was awarded to the winner. That was a great bonus for these students. We also had great support from my other sponsors like Ariat – who donated five pairs of boots that were awarded for things like most improved, most try, etc. Cinch Jeans and Shirts sent over certificates for jeans and shirts for all participants and Pro Equine sent splint boots and bell boots for all the horses that we used at the school. A special thanks to each of them for making the school a success.

The weather was pretty nice although it was hot and humid and we got a little rain but not enough to spoil the fun. Following the school we got to do some sight-seeing as this was our first trip to the “Land Down Under.” Lindsay and I would like to thank Shane and LeAnn for all their hospitality. We hope we can do it again soon as everyone seemed to have a good time and even learned a thing or two. Who knows maybe we will see more steer wrestlers from Australia come to the States and compete in the PRCA.

We left Australia on their Christmas Eve and got back to the States in time for Christmas Eve here. As it turned out it was a nice diversion to everything that happened in Las Vegas and now I am ready for the 2010 season.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company for their support of not only me the last couple of years but for all they have done for rodeo over the years. It has been a wonderful experience and hopefully we can do business again in the near future.

I would also like to thank all my other sponsors – Cinch, Ariat, Cactus Saddlery, Pro Equine and Platinum Performance for your support this past year and look for bigger and better things in 2010. I would also like to thank the folks at the MGM Grand for the hospitality you showed my family and I during our stay. It was greatly appreciated. And last but not least a big thanks to my family and friends for your support.

I will be updating my rodeo schedule as soon as I get more information on the rodeos I will be competing at and what days and times, I will be there. Be sure to keep an eye on that and will also try to get some new photos posted to the photo gallery in the coming weeks.

Have a safe and Happy New Year. Until next time,

Luke

Two-time PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler

2009 Wrangler NFR

The steer wrestling is shaping up to be one good race to the end. I now have back to back round wins and have moved to first in the average as well as the world standings.

On Tuesday night, I won the round with a time of 3.8 seconds. I was second out tonight and didn’t think that time would hold up. I thought it might win a little bit, maybe at the bottom. I knew going into it that you’re with the best in world that anything can happen. Unfortunately, it went the opposite way for those guys, but that’s just part of it.

The last time that steer was ran they were long on him and missed the barrier. I knew I had to get a good start and make a good run to get something. The round wasn’t as tough as I thought it was going to be. I was just happy to be back in the winner’s circle.

I’m going to go at these last three rounds one at a time, like they’re three one-headers, knowing that you’ve got to win money every round to have a chance at a world championship. That’s how I’m going to look at it and just go win as much as I can each go-round.

Well I am off to the South Point to collect by seventh round buckle. Will talk to you later.

Luke

Two-time and reigning PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler