ProRodeo Sports News - August 24, 2018

IN HIS OWNWORDS: SPENCER MITCHELL MITCHELL SHOOTING FOR RETURNTO FINALS

On behalf of my traveling partners, Laine Herl and Tom Littell, we wanted to express our gratitude to a couple of rodeo committees that went over the top to help out cowboys during our summer run: the Gunnison (Colo.) Cattlemen’s Days and the Edgewood (Iowa) Pro Rodeo Days. Both committees did so much extra to make us feel right at home. From the time we pulled in to park, our experience at these two rodeos was amazing. Edgewood experienced six inches of rain that week, but we couldn’t tell when we were in the arena because they covered it with a tarp. They made it easy for us to get in and get out. We appreciated their hard work. At Gunnison, we pulled in, and a committeeman was there to help us park. They brought us hay for our horses, fed us, then helped us get a repairman for our trailer even though we arrived at night. The chairman of the rodeo committee thanked us for being there, and the rodeo offered bonus money in the perf, which was great for contestants. It all helps us get down the road a little easier. Sincerely, Dru Melvin Melvin expresses thanks to committees LETTERTOTHE EDITOR I turned 30 this year (in April). It was good. We didn’t do much for my birthday. The Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo was going on close to the house, so the whole family got to be around the same area. It was pretty nice. My wife, Whitney, and 14-month-old son, Broc, are with me right now up in the Northwest traveling with me to rodeos. When we were thinking of names for our son, I didn’t think there was another name we needed to look for. I know we’ve all thought about him (late partner Broc Cresta) a lot. As soon as we found out we were having a boy it stuck with us that’s what it was going to be. I’ve gotten to rope with some great partners all year, between Jason Duby and Clay O’Brien and now roping with Russell Cardoza. I’ve messed up a lot of good opportunities and dang sure learned a lot and put some nice horses back together again. It’s been a successful year so far as long as we can finish it off strong. I learned a lot roping with Clay as far as a person’s mental game, not to lose your composure. Even if everything is going bad, keep yourself on a positive note and keep your head up. It was a great opportunity for me. When I was younger I might have been hotter headed. But between having a child and Team roping header Spencer Mitchell, of Orange Cove, Calif., is hoping to get back to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the first time since 2012. As of Aug. 20, he was in good position. In the PRCA | RAM World Standings, Mitchell was in 13th place with $53,686. He ranked 20th in the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour Standings with 390 points. After wins with heelers Jason Duby and Clay O’Brien Cooper this season, Mitchell has teamed with Russell Cardoza to close out the season.

handling all that and having the opportunity to rope with Clay it dang sure helped my mental game. And Broc helps me put things in perspective. A guy can miss a steer, and when you get back to the trailer Broc is still there smiling. At this point, he doesn’t know if I caught or missed, he’s just happy to see his dad back at the trailer with him. It’s kind of hard to stay mad when he’s smiling at you. It’s neat to have the Wrangler Tour back to the points system. It makes the Tour mean something again. I’d gone before when they used to have it. I think the way they’re running it with the Tour points and having rodeos add more money and getting the bigger rodeos to step up opens a lot of opportunities. Clay and I had success and did well. But he started a little behind me in the standings. So, our point of when we were going to go home for us was a little bit different. I was just close enough in the standings. I didn’t feel like I could afford to take a week off. Russell and I were talking about it one day, and we’re lifelong friends. I have three horses I’ve been riding on and off. I have a solid mare, Megan, who might not be the fastest, but she gives me an opportunity to win every time I ride her. She’s my go-to right now. I also have Houdini, who I purchased from a friend of mine in California, who I’ve been riding quite a bit and is really stepping up to the plate and is an exceptional horse. I also have Richard, who I’ve ridden on and off the last few years. I won Oakdale (Calif.) on him. He belongs to my sister in Oklahoma. I’ve won some larger rodeos this year. I’ve been able to switch through partners and still have some success. It feels like there are a lot of people behind me and supporting me all the way through. This season, after taking last year off and having my son, seems a lot more meaningful to me.

Steer wrestler Hebron, Neb.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/24/2018

ProRodeo.com

6