ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 22, 2019

DECEMBER 5-14 LAS VEGAS

The Front Runner Nogueira leads event for a fourth time

BY AMBER BAILLIE A lthough team roping heeler Junior Nogueira has yet to earn a team roping world title, one thing the 2016 PRCA All-Around World Champion has seemed to master is finishing the regular season in the top spot. For the fourth consecutive season, the Brazilian cowboy finished first in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $115,775. His partner Kaleb Driggers earned $118,455 in heading and is entering the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo behind Clay Smith for a second straight year. “We had a good season and tried to go to as many rodeos as we could,” Nogueira said. “You can’t get lazy. If you do, then the other guys are going to pass you because they’re working harder and are the best in the world. We’re going to mess up sometimes, it’s impossible to do everything right, but if you don’t work at it it’s impossible to get close to winning the gold buckle.” In 2019, the duo had significant victories at the Oakley (City, Utah) Independence Day Rodeo, Magic Valley Stampede in Filer, Idaho, and Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup, where each pocketed $8,282 after posting two 5.0-second runs. Entering the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in first place is gratifying but finishing No. 1 is the goal for Nogueira, who has been the reserve world champion in heeling the last three years. At the 2018Wrangler NFR, Driggers and Nogueira pulled into the lead after placing first in Round 1 with each earning $26,231. But after Clay Smith and Paul Eaves placed in Round 3 and won Round 5, they pulled back into the lead among headers and heelers and remained there the rest of the Finals. “My fourth time in a row being season leader … that’s awesome,” Nogueira said. “But I want to come out No. 1. The last couple years have been kind of hard, but last year was good, and this year we’re going to try and catch every steer as fast as we can. The NFR pays so well, it doesn’t matter what number you are when you get there. If you have an amazing time, you do have a chance to be a world champion, to win everything.” Nogueira has qualified for the Wrangler NFR six times, and Driggers has qualified for eight. The 29-year-olds have roped together the last four seasons and were roommates for three years. “We know each other pretty well, he’s an amazing roper and has a lot of talent,” Nogueira said. “His reach is impressive. Sometimes you think his rope isn’t going to catch the steer and then soon figure out he already has the steer roped.” This season Nogueira competed with his young horse, Timon, who he’s had about a year and a half. “He did really good at rodeos and pretty much went everywhere with me this season,” he said. “I might take him to the NFR. I’m probably going to take my old horse, Greencard (who Nogueira has competed with for four years), but I need to figure out what horse I’m going to ride there.” Nogueira said investing in his faith and personal relationships is key to success in his event. “My relationship with God and my family 100% affects me and my roping,” he said. “If those are going good and I feel at peace, then things come together.” Nogueira hopes to win his first gold buckle in team roping this year but said it’s all in God’s time.

2019 TEAM ROPING HEELER STANDINGS

1. J. Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil .$115,775 2. Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas............. 109,166 3. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev.......................... 108,638 4. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan..................... 106,896 5. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla.......................... 103,165 6. Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif......................... 98,730 7. Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla............. 98,278 8. Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash................. 97,649 9. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo.......................... 89,447 10. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas......... 87,296 11. Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont....................... 86,345 12. Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas...................... 84,307 13. Caleb Anderson, Mocksville, N.C.. ............ 72,390 14. Cole Davison, Stephenville, Texas............. 71,909 15. Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark...................... 71,190 QUOTABLE “My fourth time in a row being season leader … that’s awesome. But I want to come out No. 1. The last couple years have been kind of hard, but last year was good, and this year we’re going to try and catch every steer as fast as we can. The NFR pays so well, it doesn’t matter what number you are when you get there. If you have an amazing time, you do have a chance to be a world champion.” – Junior Nogueira HEAR IT FROM THE CHAMP Paul Eaves 2018 PRCA Team Roping World Champion “We’d been close before and had never

gotten it done (winning a world championship). We were catching good and our horses were working good. Everything kind of fell into

Eaves

place. It came down to us (Clay Smith and Eaves) and Kaleb and Junior, so I knew going into the last night it was probably going to be one of us. I wasn’t surprised but super thrilled. It’s what we work for.”

“We’re going to do our jobs the best that we can, and God will take care of the rest,” he said. “If we’re supposed to be winners then we will be.”

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2019

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