PublicationProRodeo Sports News - March 22, 2019

RODEOHOUSTON

JesseWright takes home $59,250

S addle bronc rider Jesse Wright has won almost every major rodeo, including the 2012 world title. But RodeoHouston had eluded him for more than a decade until March 16. “I’d been going there since I was 19 or 20,” saidWright, 29. “It took me 10 years to get it, so it feels good to get it clinched down.” Wright won the first round of Super Series 2 with an 82-point ride on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Dancing Bear and split the win in the second round with 79 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Hell of Wheels. He went on to split the win in Semifinals 1 with 87 points on Rosser Rodeo’s California Dreaming. He narrowly qualified for the Championship Shootout round with his

fourth-place 88-point ride in the Championship. It was an 86-point ride on Flying U Rodeo’s Flood Tide that put Wright at the top, making him the second member of the Wright family to win RodeoHouston. Jesse’s brother Cody won Houston in 2012. “I’d seen (Flood Tide) a bunch, and he’s awesome and electric,” Wright said. “He has a sweet little rare out and jumped underneath himself. I was happy with how he bucked.” Wright was ranked 26th with $12,448 before Houston. But that single win launched him 22 spots to third in the world with $70,452. –Matt Naber

Team ropers Ty Blasingame and Kyle Lockett’s first time competing together was worth $55,750. One of their fastest runs of the rodeo was 5.0 seconds in the Championship Shootout round. Photo courtesy Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

New partnership strikes gold

C ombining Ty Blasingame’s team roping heading prowess with heeler Kyle Lockett’s experience made for a victorious – and profitable – competition for the temporary partners at RodeoHouston. “He roped so well, and I grew up idolizing him,” Blasingame said. “It just clicked.” Over the duration of RodeoHouston, the duo made six runs with times ranging from 4.9 seconds to 7.1 seconds, but it was their 5.0-second run in the Championship Shootout that brought their Houston total to $55,750. “It’s no big deal if you never roped with someone or not,” Lockett said. “I wasn’t worried at all going into it knowing I had never heeled for him.” Lockett has been to the Wrangler NFR seven times (1997-98, 2000-03 and 2005), but this was his first Houston win. Blasingame said he’d competed at Houston about eight times and had won a decent amount of money but had never won the rodeo.

Lockett took a hiatus fromHouston after last competing there in 2006. He returned in 2018, but this time it counted toward the world standings. Before Houston, Blasingame was 10th in the world with $16,082 and Lockett was 18th with $13,430. Now, they’re ranked first and second, respectively, among headers and heelers. “It’s a life-changing deal,” Blasingame said. “It’s the best win I’ve ever had by far. …Having the Finals made in March is unbelievable for anyone.” With Houston in the bag, Lockett said he won’t travel as much this season and can stick around home in California. “It’s huge, especially now that it counts for the world,” Lockett said. “I haven’t been to the NFR since 2005. This year I will go back because of Houston. It’s not just the $50,000 you win at Houston, it’s the chance to go to Vegas and then qualify for San Antonio and go toThe American. It’s kind of never-ending now that you have a chance.” –Matt Naber

ProRodeo Sports News 3/22/2019

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