Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association | Weekly Press Release | For Immediate Release | In This Release You'll Find: 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In This Release You'll Find: 
1. Josh Clark strikes gold on first trip to Salinas
2. Colt Gordon ties Nampa record for the win; Aus sets record
3. Eli Vastbinder grabs Division 1 Xtreme Bulls win in Spanish Fork
4. What to Watch For
5. News & Notes from the rodeo trail
6. Next Up
7. 2019 PRCA | RAM World Standings Leaders
8. 2019 PRCA | RAM World Standings
9. 2019 ProRodeo Tour Points Standings
10. 2019 Xtreme Bulls Standings
Josh Clark strikes gold on first trip to Salinas

SALINAS, Calif. – Long scores in the timed events are a tradition at California Rodeo Salinas, a challenge to the athleticism of both horse and cowboy at California’s oldest and most lucrative pro rodeo.
 
Steer wrestler Josh Clark, 36, had never backed into the box at the huge Salinas Sports Complex arena before, but the Montana cowboy wasn’t intimidated. He knew he had an ace in the hole in his gray horse, Badger.
 
Badger carried Clark to his second major ProRodeo win this season, and second on the ProRodeo Tour, July 21, as he won California Rodeo Salinas in 21.5 seconds on three head.
 
“I bought him (Badger) from Austin Manning in Idaho back in 2016, and he had been to Salinas before,” Clark said. “In fact, they bragged about how great he was at Salinas when I bought him, but I hadn’t been able to make it work to get there before this year.”
 
Competing in back-to-back rounds on Friday, Clark placed fifth in the first round with a 7.3-second run. An 8.1 on the second steer was enough to keep Clark in town for Sunday’s short-go round while hauling partner and hazer, Jule Hazen, left to compete in Utah.
 
A great hazer is essential – Cameron Morman picked up the slack for Hazen in the finals – and a horse that is not only fast, but broke is crucial too.
 
“I’ve been to Cheyenne (Wyo.) several times which has its similarities to this,” Clark said. “It helps that the steers are older, pretty true in their pattern, and you’ve got to have a horse broke enough to move around out there.
 
“The best thing about Badger, he scores really well. Whether it’s short or you have to sit there awhile, he won’t even blink until you tell him to go,” Clark said. “Those setups are fun with him.”
 
Coming into the final round in the middle of the pack, Clark was confident after seeing his draw.
 
“I knew my steer was really good," he said. "J.D. Struxness had won the second go on him, so I knew I just had to be smart at the barrier, sneak up there and make a good run and let the rest happen however it’s supposed to."
 
He did just that, winning the final round with a 6.1-second run to clinch the average win and earn $7,505 and one of ProRodeo’s most coveted buckles.
 
“It’s pretty cool ... it’s kind of a surreal experience,” Clark said. “You don’t get that many chances to win these big, major rodeos like this.”
 
Clark enjoyed a good winter with consistent checks along with a split win in Fort Worth, Texas, so he was able to take some time off in the spring, letting his horses enjoy a nice break. An accident in practice put him out for about a month, but he and Hazen have been back on the road since early June.
 
“We’ve tried to keep it pretty simple over the Fourth and the last few weeks, but now we’re at it pretty much every day,” Clark said.
 
Clark entered the week ranked 23rd in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, but the big, California payday pushed him to 18th in the standings as he pursues his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification.

 “That’s the plan we set out with at the first of the year,” he said.
 
The final day of the 109th annual California Rodeo Salinas brought an arena record in bareback riding when Clint Laye posted an 89.5-point ride on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Trip Wire, besting the previous mark held by Cody DeMers by half a point. Laye also broke the average record set by Tim O’Connell a year ago by the same margin with 174 points on two horses.
 
The 2019 rodeo also set a record for total payout, delivering $45,000 more than the previous record set for the 2013 rodeo.
 
Other winners at the $453,680 rodeo were all-around cowboy C.J. DeForest Jr., ($7,025, tie-down and team roping); bareback rider Laye (174 points on two head); team ropers Brooks Dahozy and Walt Woodard (50.3 on five head); saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright (168.5 points on two head); tie-down roper John Douch (35.7 seconds on three head); barrel racer Shelley Morgan (64.76 seconds on four runs); and bull rider Stetson Wright (172.5 points on two head).
Colt Gordon ties Nampa record for the win; Aus sets record

NAMPA, Idaho – It was one for the record books at the 2019 Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho, as saddle bronc rider Colt Gordon tied the two-head average record and bareback rider Tanner Aus broke Bruce Ford’s 37-year-old record – all while competing for the biggest payout in Nampa’s history at $410,502.

“I’ll definitely be back there trying to beat that, but I’m dang-sure excited about the win,” said Gordon, 22.

The Oklahoma cowboy won Round 1 with an 87-point ride on Rosser Rodeo’s California Dreamin and repeated the feat atop Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Ricky Bobby to place third in the final round, which combined for 174 points on two-head, trying Chad Ferley’s 2007 record in the two-head average.

“I had seen her (California Dreamin) a few times before,” Gordon said. “I’d seen her buck Joe Lufkin off at Reno (Nev.), but you have to do stuff right on her since she can get a guy down. I’d watched Dawson Hay get on the horse I rode in the final round, Ricky Bobby, and he was 89 on him in San Antonio. And I’d seen him buck people off too, so I knew if he had a good trip I had to be on my game.”

Before Nampa, Gordon was ranked 13th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $53,006 and he moved to 11th in the July 22 world standings. Gordon’s been climbing the ladder in recent weeks, having launched from 21st to 14th during Cowboy Christmas and then moving from 14th to 13th during the second week of July. 

“Coming into the position I’m in now right in the bottom of the Top 15, I need to win as much as I can to make the Finals for the first time,” Gordon said. 

Gordon has gotten closer to making his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo each year since his rookie year in 2017 when he finished 47th in the world standings and 21st in 2018.

Now he’s on a hot streak, cashing in:
• $2,301 at the Rodeo of The Ozarks in Springdale, Ark., June 29.
• $1,658 at the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede, July 4. 
• $6,096 at the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo, July 6
• $3,516 at the West Jordan (Utah) Western Stampede, July 6
• $4,259 at the Rooftop Rodeo in Estes Park, Colo., July 13

“I’m feeling like myself again and just getting in with good guys is the main part,” Gordon said about his traveling partners Tegan Smith and reigning World Champion Saddle Bronc rider Wade Sundell.
In addition to a boost in the world standings, Gordon also earned points in the ProRodeo Tour where he was ranked 18th with 1,927.54 points as of July 16.

Gordon’s keeping an “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” approach to the final two months of the season.

“I try to stay cool, calm and collected,” Gordon said. “I’ll get a little fired up, but I’ll have to calm down before getting on; it’s a mentality of just giving it everything you got.”

Gordon went straight from Nampa to California Rodeo Salinas where Saturday’s win has him feeling confident for Sunday’s short go.

Other changes to Nampa’s record book included Aus breaking Ford’s 90-point record from 1982 with his 91-point ride on Flying U Rodeo’s Lil Red Hawk in the final round and the Snake River Stampede breaking its 2018 record payout of $401,192 with a 2019 total of $410,502.

Other winners at the $410,502 rodeo were bareback riders Zach Hibler and Tanner Aus (172 points on two head each); steer wrestler Hunter Cure (12.0 seconds on three head); team ropers Nelson Wyatt/Levi Lord (15.1 seconds on three head); tie-down roper Caleb Smidt (25.0 seconds on three head); barrel racer Terri Wood Gates (31.86 seconds on two head); and bull rider Foster McCraw (178 points on two head). 
Eli Vastbinder grabs Division 1 Xtreme Bulls win in Spanish Fork

SPANISH FORK, Utah – After getting a taste of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last year, bull rider Eli Vastbinder wants nothing more than to make a return trip.

The Statesville, N.C., cowboy, who was 25th in the July 16 PRCA | RAM World Standings, captured a much-needed victory to help his cause to get back to Las Vegas by winning the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Xtreme Bulls Division 1 event July 20. It was the first time Spanish Fork hosted a Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event.

Vastbinder won the title with his 89.5-point ride on Powder River Rodeo's Struttin Stuff.

The draw couldn’t have been any better for Vastbinder.

“My family raised that bull and now H.D. (Page) hauls him,” said Vastbinder, 28. “I was the first guy to ever get on him (the bull) as a calf. It was really cool that we raised the bull, he was born at my father-in-law’s place. When the bull was 3 years old, we sold him to H.D. That bull never gets ridden. He’s a tricky bull that is hard to ride. No one really wants to draw him.

So, to get him ridden and winning first with us raising him was a cool deal. I love coming to Utah rodeos, and to win the first Division 1 event in Spanish Fork made things even better.”
What was even cooler for Vastbinder was that he earned $8,724 for his eight-second performance and first career Xtreme Bulls Division 1 victory. The payday moved Vastbinder up to 19th in the July 22 world standings with $48,962.

“I rode him (Struttin Stuff) one time in the practice pen when he was just a calf,” Vastbinder said. “He was about 1,000 pounds lighter and about four years younger. He was a totally different bull back then. Tonight, the bull was tough and really bucked through it hard. He turned back into my hand. He’s unpredictable. He just went around to the right, and he got to moving forward and everything worked out.” 

Vastbinder edged J.T. Moore and Brennon Eldred, who tied for second with 89-point rides.
“I was happy when I saw my score, and I was just tickled to ride him,” Vastbinder said. “I waited it out and won, which was cool.”

Vastbinder joins the other winners on the Xtreme Bulls Division 1 circuit this season – Dallee Mason (won in Fort Worth, Texas), Trey Benton III (San Antonio), Tristan Mize (Fort Mohave, Ariz.), Trevor Reiste (Del Rio, Texas) and Sage Kimzey (Reno, Nev.).
“To get a paycheck like I did for my win was great, and any time you can ride a bull like that it is even better,” Vastbinder said. “This was a big win for me, and it was definitely needed. Hopefully it is the first of many.”

Vastbinder made his Wrangler NFR debut last season, He finished ninth in the world standings with $173,371. He earned $78,256 at the Finals and placed 10th in the average.

His first trip to Vegas was highlighted by winning Rounds 5 and 9.

“I feel like I’m on my way to get back to the NFR,” Vastbinder said. “I don’t have time to celebrate. I have to keep after it because there are more rodeos to go to.”
What to Watch For
ProRodeoTV.com
Ogden (Utah) Pioneer Days, July 22-24, 7:30 p.m. (MT)
 
WranglerNetwork.com
Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days, July 26-28, 12:15 p.m. (MT)
 
8SecondsRadio.com with Steve Kenyon
Red Desert Roundup, Rock Springs, Wyo., July 25-27, 8 p.m. (MT)
Wind River PRCA Rodeo Roundup, Riverton, Wyo., July 29-30, 7:30 p.m. (MT)
 
RIDETV
Stockyards Championship, Fort Worth, Texas, July 27, 7-9 p.m. (ET), taped (July 26 performance); July 27, 9-11 p.m. (ET), live
 
CowboyChannel
Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days, July 22-28, 3 p.m. (ET), live. July 22-28 performances will be repeated at 8 p.m. (ET)
News & Notes From The Rodeo Trail

The 2019 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping is Nov. 22-23 at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane. The Top 15 steer ropers in the PRCA based on PRCA | RAM World Standings at the end of the regular season head to their own national championship which is a separate event from the NFR. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. (CT). The show begins at 7:30 p.m. (CT) . Tickets from $28 plus taxes and convenience fees. To book tickets go to http://bit.ly/2Z6IX2B . To book your 2019 NFSR room and ticket package visit http://bit.ly/30RVRSF .

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The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is conducting a Wrangler NFR Super Fan Contest. The contest began July 11 and closes Aug. 31. To enter , go to: http://bit.ly/2NJh9QM . Tell why you are the biggest Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Super Fan. Nominate yourself or someone you know by filling out the online form. You can also upload photos and up to 30 seconds of video telling your story. Finalists will be chosen based on how effectively and creatively they convey their ultimate Wrangler NFR fandom in their entry post. A winner will be selected among the finalists via fan voting by PRCA social media followers. The winning NFR Super Fan will have their story featured at the 2019 Wrangler NFR pre-show. No purchase is necessary. The contest opened July 11, 2019, midnight (MT) and closes Aug. 31, 2019, at 11:59 a.m. (MT). This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the promotion will be directed to PRCA Headquarters, not Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. The contest is open to legal residents of their respective countries where not prohibited by law, who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry who have Internet access and a valid e-mail account before the beginning of the contest period. The PRCA has the right to verify the eligibility of each entrant. All eligible entries received will be gathered into a database. A finalist will be chosen by the sole discretion of the selection committee. By participating, each entrant grants PRCA permission to use his/her name, likeness or comments for publicity purposes without payment of additional consideration, except where prohibited by law.
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Las Vegas Events announced an exclusive partnership with StubHub as the official secondary and fan-to-fan ticketing site of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The Wrangler NFR. According to LVE President Pat Christenson , the rodeo has attracted sold-out crowds for more than 32 years. “The partnership with StubHub will allow our season ticket holders to sell their tickets through a safe and secure online marketplace, while also providing rodeo fans looking to purchase with a full-service outlet backed by award-winning customer care,” Christenson said in a statement. Last year’s event saw 169,171 fans across 10 days of competition, selling out more than 320 consecutive performances. Rodeo fans can purchase tickets through StubHub’s mobile app or online at StubHub.com. This year’s event will take place from Dec. 5-14.
Next Up
July 22          Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Rookie Saddle Bronc continues
July 22          Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Rodeo continues
July 24          Sac County Fair & Rodeo, Sac City, Iowa, July 24
July 24          Cheyenne County Fair & PRCA Rodeo, Sidney, Neb., July 24
July 24          Central Montana RAM Pro Rodeo, Lewiston, begins
July 24          Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, Burwell, begins
July 24          Deadwood (S.D.) Days of ’76 Rodeo, July 24-27 begins
July 24          Eagle (Colo.) County Fair & Rodeo begins
July 24          Chief Joseph Days, Joseph, Ore., begins
July 25          Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, permit section, Burwell, Neb.
July 25          Sheridan Saddle Club PRCA Rodeo, Plentywood, Mont., begins
July 25          Kit Carson County Pro Rodeo, Burlington, Colo., begins
July 25          Last Chance Stampede, Helena, Mont., begins
July 25          Allegheny Mountain Championship Rodeo, Kellettville, Pa.
July 25          Kaw Valley Rodeo, Manhattan, Kan., begins
July 25          Medicine Hat (British Columbia) Stampede begins
July 25          Red Desert Roundup, Rock Springs, Wyo., begins
July 25          Wahoo (Neb.) Saddle Club PRCA Rodeo
July 26          Cle Elum (Wash.) Round Up begins
July 26          Stockyards Championship, Fort Worth, Texas, begins
July 26          Kootenai River Stampede, Libby, Mont., begins
July 26          Neshoba County Fair & Rodeo, Philadelphia, Miss., begins
July 26          Steamboat Springs (Colo.) Pro Rodeo Series begins
July 26          Steamboat Springs (Colo.) Pro Rodeo Series, permit section
July 26          San Luis Valley Ski-Hi Stampede, Monte Vista, Colo., begins
July 27          Faribault County PRCA Rodeo, Blue Earth, Minn.
July 27          Mesquite (Texas) Championship Rodeo
July 27          Xtreme Broncs Hardgrass Bronc Match, Pollockville, Alberta
July 27          Cowtown Rodeo, Woodstown Pilesgrove, N.J.
July 27          Fort Totten (N.D.) Days Pro Rodeo begins 
July 28          Bruce (Ontario) Stampede
2019 PRCA | RAM World Standings Leaders
Unofficial through July 22, 2019

AA: Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah. $128,390
BB: Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah, $143,646
SW: Ty Erickson, Helena , Mont., $119,205
TR-1: Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla., $108,697
TR-2: Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif., 93,033
SB: Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, $177,473
TD: Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas, $110,861
SR: Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, $48,056
BR: Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., $147,012
2019 PRCA | RAM World Standings
Please see prorodeo.com for the latest standings update. All standings are unofficial.


2019 PRCA Rodeo Results
About The PRCA
The PRCA, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., is recognized as the unsurpassed leader in sanctioning the sport of professional rodeo. The PRCA's mission is to unify membership in providing an innovative fan experience, to grow the sport of professional rodeo and provide new expanded opportunities for our membership and sponsors. Since 1986, the PRCA has paid out more than $1 billion in prize money to its contestants. The PRCA offers the best cowboys and the best rodeos; delivering the best fan experience while positively impacting our communities and embracing the spirit of the West. A membership-based organization, the PRCA sanctioned 650 rodeos in 2018, and there are more than 40 million rodeo fans in the U.S. The PRCA televises the sport's premier events, with the world-renowned Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on CBS Sports Net and streaming on  ProRodeoTV.com . The PRORODEO® Tour and RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo also air on CBS Sports Net, and ProRodeoTV.com . PRCA-sanctioned rodeos donate more than $40 million to local and national charities every year. For comprehensive coverage of the cowboy sport, read the ProRodeo Sports News, the official publication of the PRCA, and make sure to check out the digital edition of the PSN. The digital PSN and daily updates of news and results can be found on the PRCA's official website,  www.prorodeo.com .

For additional information about this press release, contact:
Tracy Renck
719.528.4758
trenck@prorodeo.com

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
101 Pro Rodeo Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80919  www.prorodeo.com
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