ProRodeo Sports News - June 26, 2020

Permit-holder T.J. Gray splits win Phillip Kitts photo Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Cash Flow lived up to his name when permit-holder T.J. Gray rode him for a $3,929 win at the Woodward Elks Rodeo.

The day after his 18th birthday, T.J. Gray started his ProRodeo permit. Less than a year later he scored the first win of his ProRodeo career by splitting first at the Woodward (Okla.) Elks Rodeo, June 13. Gray posted an 84.5-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Cash Flow on June 10, the first day of the rodeo, but had to wait three days to find out if his position at the top held up. It did, equaled only by Tyler Bingham, a two-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “It was cool to tie with Tyler because I really look up to him,” said Gray, who turns 19 in July. “Doing that means a lot, and not just because of the money that goes toward the permit standings. Every rodeo you show up to, you’re dreaming about winning it, and when you finally end up winning one it’s a checkmark on the list. It’s almost like a weight off your shoulders, I finally got one won.” The win helped Gray remain in fourth place in the 2020 PRCA | RAM Rodeo Permit Standings for bull riding with $16,003.

“I already had quite a bit of confidence since I’ve been practicing a lot, so I don’t know if winning boosted it, but it definitely reinforced it,” Gray said. ProRodeo bull riding runs in the family, as Gray’s older brother, Levi, is fifth in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. Rodeo is Gray’s main focus, so when competitions were on hold, he went home and practiced instead of taking a job. “I had some buddies try to convince me to buy my card and make the Finals, but my brother said it was smarter to wait until 2021, so I decided to go with that,” Gray said. The Dairy, Ore., cowboy picked up a $3,929 check and some words of praise from his older brother. “Levi was very happy for me,” Gray said. “I don’t necessarily get too worked up and excited, but he kept saying, ‘That was such a great bull ride.’ And when I get positive feedback from him, it feels good.” –Matt Naber

ProRodeo Sports News 6/26/2020

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