Man, that was close
Texan Scott Snedecor accomplished a remarkable feat over the past weekend at the National Finals Steer Roping in Amarillo, Texas.
Not only did he beat ProRodeo Hall of Famer Guy Allen, considered "The Legend" for his 18 steer roping world titles, Snedecor did so in what's now the closest finish between the top two cowboys in any given event in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
$1.67.
For less than a cost of a Big Mac, Snedecor won his first world title. He did so by being the most consistent cowboy in the 15-man field over 10 rounds. He won $21,850 in Amarillo, which was just enough to sneak past Allen, who carried a $16,148 lead heading into the three-day event.
Steer roping has been part of rodeo for decades. Like calf roping, a steer is roped then tied. Unlike calf roping -- where a calf is lifted off the ground, laid on its side (or thrown) and three of its legs tied-- steers are roped around the horns and the lasso is set up in a manner to trip the animal, therefore knocking the steer to the ground so three of its legs can be tied.
It's a very specialized event, and there aren't that many rodeos across the country that even have it as part of the competition. Because of that, championships are won with less in overall earnings than most other events. Snedecor finished with $69,319 in earnings for 2005.
Compare that to calf roping, where each of the guys in the top 15 has earned more money prior to the championship -- the National Finals Rodeo, which is the championship for the other events (bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing and bull riding), begins Dec. 2.
Go-round winners at the steer roping finals pocketed $3,800. Not bad. But go-round winners at the NFR will earn more than $15,000. That's a considerable difference from one championship to another.
Either way, it takes tremendous skill to compete in any sport at a high level, and steer roping is a little more specialized than most. Whether it's $70,000 or $170,000, winning the title is still a big deal.
An aside to the finals is that Trevor Brazile, the three-time defending all-around champion, didn't fare nearly as well as he would've liked in Amarillo. The all-around goes to the cowboy with the most money won in multiple events. Brazile might just be the greatest all-around roping hand ever to grace ProRodeo, having qualified for the finals in each roping discipline -- calf roping, steer roping, team roping (heading and heeling).
Brazile added $8,500 to his yearly take and has extended his lead in the all-around standings to almost $27,000. But that's over NFR newcomer Ryan Jarrett, who has qualified in both calf roping and steer wrestling. Brazile would've liked to have been a little more profitable last weekend to help secure his fourth title.
That, folks, is just one of the many intriguing story lines as we close out this ProRodeo season. I'll keep you posted.
Not only did he beat ProRodeo Hall of Famer Guy Allen, considered "The Legend" for his 18 steer roping world titles, Snedecor did so in what's now the closest finish between the top two cowboys in any given event in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
$1.67.
For less than a cost of a Big Mac, Snedecor won his first world title. He did so by being the most consistent cowboy in the 15-man field over 10 rounds. He won $21,850 in Amarillo, which was just enough to sneak past Allen, who carried a $16,148 lead heading into the three-day event.
Steer roping has been part of rodeo for decades. Like calf roping, a steer is roped then tied. Unlike calf roping -- where a calf is lifted off the ground, laid on its side (or thrown) and three of its legs tied-- steers are roped around the horns and the lasso is set up in a manner to trip the animal, therefore knocking the steer to the ground so three of its legs can be tied.
It's a very specialized event, and there aren't that many rodeos across the country that even have it as part of the competition. Because of that, championships are won with less in overall earnings than most other events. Snedecor finished with $69,319 in earnings for 2005.
Compare that to calf roping, where each of the guys in the top 15 has earned more money prior to the championship -- the National Finals Rodeo, which is the championship for the other events (bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing and bull riding), begins Dec. 2.
Go-round winners at the steer roping finals pocketed $3,800. Not bad. But go-round winners at the NFR will earn more than $15,000. That's a considerable difference from one championship to another.
Either way, it takes tremendous skill to compete in any sport at a high level, and steer roping is a little more specialized than most. Whether it's $70,000 or $170,000, winning the title is still a big deal.
An aside to the finals is that Trevor Brazile, the three-time defending all-around champion, didn't fare nearly as well as he would've liked in Amarillo. The all-around goes to the cowboy with the most money won in multiple events. Brazile might just be the greatest all-around roping hand ever to grace ProRodeo, having qualified for the finals in each roping discipline -- calf roping, steer roping, team roping (heading and heeling).
Brazile added $8,500 to his yearly take and has extended his lead in the all-around standings to almost $27,000. But that's over NFR newcomer Ryan Jarrett, who has qualified in both calf roping and steer wrestling. Brazile would've liked to have been a little more profitable last weekend to help secure his fourth title.
That, folks, is just one of the many intriguing story lines as we close out this ProRodeo season. I'll keep you posted.
posted by Teditor at 5:13 PM
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