PublicationProRodeo Sports News - March 22, 2019

RODEOHOUSTON

“It’s a blessing for my family and gives me an opportunity to make the Finals,” Otero said. Longtime friend, ProRodeo Hall of Famer and eight-time world champion Joe Beaver agreed. “He should have been to the Finals a long time ago,” said Beaver, who won the all-around world title in 1995-96 and 2000 and tie-down roping titles in 1985, 1987-88, 1992-93. “He took some time off for his mom, but when he came back it was kind of a ‘now or never’ deal.” Otero’s mother passed away from brain cancer in 2013. “He won San Angelo and Houston, but I hope he goes to 50 rodeos,” Beaver said. TIMETO GO Before winning Houston, Otero was 19th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $16,716. Now that he’s at the top of the world standings, he’s adjusting his 2019 plans. “We were going to have fun with it this summer and just go to the ones we like,” Otero said. “I might strike out a little earlier in the summer versus waiting until Reno and try to go the full year.” With the possibility of his first Wrangler NFR qualification looking more likely than ever, Otero’s raising the bar on his goals a few weeks before he turns 37 on March 29. He’s hoping to win the 2019 world title. “I think early in his career he thought too much instead of utilizing his

seasoned. My other horse is nice, but she’s greener and wet behind the ears.” Otero had a rocky start with a 20.3-second run for fourth place in the first round of Super Series 4. He cut his time by more than half in the third round, placing third with 9.4 seconds. The Miami native turnedWeatherford, Texas, cowboy tied with Cimarron Boardman for second place in Semifinals 1 with an 8.9-second run. “I thought he capitalized when he had to,” Beaver said. “It was his chance and he didn’t drop the ball.” Otero had made it as far as the semifinals, but never the final round. “I’d been looking forward to it for several years,” Otero said. “I was the first roper, and I felt like I needed to make the best run I could because I didn’t know what would happen.” The Championship round didn’t fare as well for Otero, placing third with 12.3 seconds – but it put him into the Championship Shootout with a clean slate. There, Otero shined with his fastest run. Clocking in at 8.5 seconds was worth a RodeoHouston buckle, an additional $50,000 in prize money and future opportunities that he otherwise might not have had. “It helps with some confidence, that’s for sure, but the next run isn’t any easier than the last one,” Otero said. “You’ve still got to put as much time and effort into it, and mentally you have to be just as sharp on the next calf and the one after that.”

talent and horses, but now he is on the right page to make the Finals, and I think it’s darn-sure earned,” Beaver said. Competing is about more than money and buckles for Otero, as he’s traveling with his 16-month-old son, Hudson, and his wife, Carlee, a barrel racer who competed at the Wrangler NFR in 2011-12, and 2014. “God made this all possible,” Otero said. “I have several reasons why I try to compete – for God and my family and my new son. I still compete with a gray ribbon on my sleeve for my mom.” RodeoHouston is familiar ground for Otero, after competing there about a half-dozen times. “I just tried to rope smart and not make any dumb mistakes,” Otero said. Otero competed on D2, his 11-year-old buckskin that he’s ridden for about four years. “He’s just an ornery and good horse,” Otero said. “I’d sold my other good horse to Clint Cooper, so that’s the only horse I had left that I had RAISINGTHE BAR

Trevor Kastner and bull fighter Dusty Tuckness were fired up after Kastner won the Championship Shootout round March 16. Photo courtesy Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Michael Otero ......................... 8.5 sec. 2. Cimarron Boardman ..................... 10.5 Tuf Cooper........................................ NT Riley Pruitt........................................ NT

BARREL RACING 1. Nellie Williams-Miller............ 14.26 sec. 2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi...................15.10 3. Carley Cervi..................................19.49 4. Stevi Hillman................................26.63

BULL RIDING 1. Trevor Kastner .......................... 90 pts. 2. Sage Kimzey .................................... 85 Dylan Hice Vick ............................... NS Parker Breding ................................ NS

Complete results on Page 45

ProRodeo Sports News 3/22/2019

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