ProRodeo Sports News July 13, 2018

IN HIS OWNWORDS: STERLING CRAWLEY BRONC RIDER CASHES IN AT COWBOY CHRISTMAS

T his Cowboy Christmas was the best I’ve ever had. I only got checks at a couple of rodeos, but they were the right rodeos. Before this year, the most I had won during a Cowboy Christmas run was almost $8,000. So this was a big difference. We went to as many as we could get to but seemed to be just a spot or two out of the money at most of them. Then came the Ponoka Stampede. That went really well. After that I seemed to pick up a few more reasonable checks and it all came together. At Ponoka, I had no idea of how much money I was making. When you’re getting on horses that are that good and can buck you off, that’s the only thing you’re thinking about. I got to the showdown and I wasn’t sure how things would go, not with me drawing Calgary Stampede’s Wild Cherry. After he made me look silly last year in Puyallup (at the Washington State Fair Pro Rodeo), I’d been wanting a rematch. But I also wanted to get another ride on the horse at a smaller rodeo, somewhere I could get a feel for the bronc before maybe getting on him again at the NFR in Las Vegas, if I get to go back. Last time aboard, I missed him out and he had me everywhere. It was a nerve-wracking couple of hours waiting on that round. I was definitely looking forward to it because I knew that horse was one you could Sterling Crawley won $21,468 over Cowboy Christmas, with the lion’s share of that haul coming from his win at the Ponoka (Alberta) Stampede. The saddle bronc rider made $18,028 at Ponoka. The money moved the 27-year-old, Texas cowboy from 12th place in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings to eighth as of July 12, as he searches for his fifth qualification for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and third straight.

win it on. In my opinion, I had more horse than anyone else. The trick was getting him ridden and marked out. Plus, with three other great bronc riders – all NFR qualifiers – you can’t count on anything. Wild Cherry and I had a better day. He got a better temper in the chute, but he still left just as hard. Luckily, I was in a little better shape when we left the chute this time. He didn’t quite make me look silly. Riding him (for 88.75 points) and winning there was awesome. Every kid has their list of rodeos they want to win as they go along their career. That was definitely one I wanted to mark off. My brother, Jacobs, and I travel together most of the time. We’re heading to California Rodeo Salinas next. I’ll drive there by myself and pick him up at the airport in California. I enjoy driving by myself when I have the opportunity. I’m anxious to get back to the Wrangler NFR after last season, which was my best trip. I think it was my best performance because of maturing in my bronc riding and in myself as far as taking it seriously and putting in work before you get to the arena. I had earlier nights and a lot more prep before I went out to Vegas. If you just take it serious for the time you’re in the arena it doesn’t do much good. I could feel a difference, too. I could tell around Round 4 or 5. Usually you’re a little banged up or getting tired. But heck, we got done on the 10th night and I felt like I could go run another 10 and we could do it again. The thing I love most about rodeo is the people that you get tomeet and wouldn’t under any other circumstance and the places you get to see. What other job can you do where you get to travel the country andmeet all these people and do it all the while with your family? It’s just a special way tomake a living.

Not licensed to use PRCA marks

ProRodeo Sports News 7/13/2018

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