ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 22, 2019

DECEMBER 5-14 LAS VEGAS

A THIN LINE The difference in money between first and second place in each event entering the Wrangler NFR. Bareback riding ................... $5,747 Steer wrestling ................... $41,513 Team roping heading ........$32,057 Team roping heeling ............$6,609 Saddle bronc riding ............$47,497 Tie-down roping ...................$12,011 Bull riding .............................$93,016 place finish for Motes after winning Rounds 1, 3 and 10 outright and splitting Round 6. The pair won $143,904 at that year’s Wrangler NFR. “We had to win the (10th) round to win the world and then have a little bit of help,” Motes said. “Starting off with a round win in the first couple rounds out there jump-starts your week.” Feild knows he can catch Biglow, but he’s also seen something from the 23-year-old Californian that is going to make it a challenge. “Clayton Biglow, I watched him when he was a young kid getting on practice horses,” Feild said. “Now, competing against him, it’s awesome to see how he handles each situation differently.” Meged’s task won’t be any easier. He’s chasing defending champion and two-time champ Smidt. “Everybody wants to be first to be the season leader, but honestly, it doesn’t really matter,” said Meged, 21. “Being second, there’s nothing wrong with that. There are a lot of guys fighting for your spot. It’s an honor to be second. It comes down to 10 rounds.” Motes knows how to climb in the ranks at the Finals. He’ll be trying to do it this season with header Coleman Proctor. The pair teamed up to winThe American in Arlington, Texas, in March, cashing in for more than $400,000, $50,000 of which counted toward the world standings and was a huge boon toward making the Wrangler NFR. But not only are they chasing down Clay Smith and Nogueira, first in their respective events, Motes is also aware of all the competition right behind them and how tight the races are. “It’s going to be entertaining, it’s going to be tight,” said Motes, at the Finals for the first time since 2015. “Between Junior, myself, Jade Corkill, Jake Long and Brady Minor, I think everybody is within $10,000- $12,000. That’s pretty tight right now, and obviously it’s going to change a little bit as soon as Round 1 is over. There’s nothing more fun than going head to head with those guys every night.” ON THE HUNT Feild is chasing down bareback riding leader Clayton Biglow, who owns a lead of $5,747.

Rookie tie-down roper Haven Meged is headed to the Wrangler NFR at the age of 21. He trails two-time world champion Caleb Smidt by $12,011. Matt Cohen photo

Ryan Motes is returning to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the first time since 2015. The last time he was at the Finals, Motes climbed from fifth to second in the world standings while his partner Aaron Tsinigine won the world title. PRCA ProRodeo file photo

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2019

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