ProRodeo Sports News July 13, 2018

Top Roughstock Winner

Tim O’Connell is biggest winner in roughstock, overall BY MATT NABER B y a margin of $245, bareback rider Tim O’Connell earned more than any other roughstock cowboy during Cowboy Christmas, taking home $31,014. “You’re rodeoing so much at this point There’s nothing easy about winning, and I was blessed to get great draws.” Although he didn’t move up in the

TOP ROUGHSTOCK 1. Tim O’Connell, BB.................. $31,014 2. Chase Brooks, SB. ................. $30,769 3. Sage Kimzey, BR................... $29,856 4. Richmond Champion, BB.......... $27,521 5. Joe Frost, BR. ...................... $24,557 6. Rusty Wright, SB................... $23,002 7. Sterling Crawley, SB............... $21,468 8. Caleb Bennett, BB.................. $20,261 9. Steven Dent, BB.................... $18,858 10. Brody Cress, SB................... $17,770 * Ground money in bull riding not included

world standings, O’Connell is closing in on moving from second to first place. On June 25, he was ranked second with $74,895. By July 12, he had $112,891 – $328 behind leader Caleb Bennett. “It’s like an addiction he has, and it’s a good one to have,” Corbett said. “Being No. 1 is his thing, and he was kind of disappointed with how winter went. But he got it figured out around the RAM (National Circuit) Finals, and it’s been relentless since then.” In addition to winning $31,014, O’Connell also scored 285 points in the

you don’t have time to sit and think on it, but the confidence alone does so much for your game,” O’Connell said. “Knowing you can do whatever you

want on a bucking horse makes all the difference. It turns into confidence and in turn lets me see my end goal and makes it better and brighter and paints the picture a bit more.” O’Connell was traveling with fellow bareback riders Logan Corbett and Shane O’Connell (no relation). “My friend, Phillip Eggers, flew us from the second (of July) to the Fourth (of July) and that was the only way,” O’Connell said. “He saved our bacon.” It wasn’t an easy run, as the two-time world champion started Cowboy Christmas by hyperextending his knee in Prescott, Ariz. “Justin Sportsmedicine made sure I was good over the Fourth,” O’Connell said. “I had to tape my knee the whole time, and they really helped take care of me.” His biggest win came at the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo on a horse his dad and brother raised and sold, Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Ted. “I’ve gotten to see him full circle and ended up winning St. Paul,” O’Connell said. “That rodeo seriously helped me out over the years.” That night, the three bronc riders flew down toWest Jordan, Utah, without a moment to spare, landing about half an hour before the rodeo started in Oakley City. “They had like 25 minutes to make a 60-mile trip,” Corbett laughed. “Tim threw his stuff in the arena.” How close did they cut it? “There was one horse in front of me when I got there,” O’Connell said.

Wrangler Tour, placing him second in the Tour standings with 491 points. “I’m just having fun rodeoing,” O’Connell said. “Life’s good with great travel partners and great family and friends like Phillip (Eggers), who will take the Fourth and fly a bunch of cowboys around. Everything is in our corner.” O’Connell didn’t realize he was on a substantial hot streak until the dust settled. “When I was tallying it up, I was like, ‘Holy cow, this is a monster of a Fourth,’” O’Connell said. “Our rig won about $56,000. Last year we thought we killed it and had $40,000 – we just shattered it.” Shane O’Connell won $6,935 from June 25 through July 9, and Corbett jumped from 21st to 17th by winning $12,489. “I was most happy that our whole rig won something at a rodeo,” O’Connell said. “Our whole group is making moves into the Top 15. Shane was kind of riding hurt, so for him to win as much as he did – and he’s a tough little booger – and Logan made some huge moves. We’re all really excited for our future and to go to the NFR together.”

FUNTRIP

That mad dash was worth the cash, as O’Connell banked $4,646. “I wouldn’t say there was anything easy about it,” O’Connell said. “With this generation of bareback riders, it is so tough to win. The Top 50 in the world can win at any moment at any given time, that’s how good the field of bareback riders is. It’s encouraging for our sport.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/13/2018

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