Blog

Monday, Sept. 17

As the saying goes, time flies when you are having fun. As I look at the calendar and realize the end of the 2007 rodeo season is only two weeks away, it makes me realize another year has almost come and gone. This year the season ends on Sept. 30, but our money won in Dallas (Nov. 9-11) will count toward our world standings. I am fifth right now in the world standings with just about $80,000 won. I am about $36,000 out of the top spot but hope to close that gap in the next couple weeks. A win in Omaha would really help me.

 I picked up a descent check at the second Ariat Playoffs in Puyallup (Wash.) totaling $6,586. I finished in a tie for second in the first round with an 81-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Juvenile Quest. The way Puyallup was set-up this year we competed on our first one in the 1 p.m. performance and returned that night for our second round horse. I drew Korkow Rodeo’s Big Ugly in the second round and rode the horse for 82 points. I ended up tied for second in the second round as well, but I won the average with 163 points on two head to easily qualify for the semifinals.

 In the semifinals, I drew Calgary Stampede’s John Wayne and posted an 80. That put me fourth in the round, but both Jeff Willert and Dusty Hausauer were given the option of a re-ride. Unfortunately for me, Jeff came back and posted an 85 on his re-ride bumping me to fifth in the round and one spot out of the four-man final. It seems like that has happened to me a lot this year, being so close but yet so far away. Luckily for me I had enough money won in the Tour standings to advance to Omaha for another shot at them.

 My brother, Heith, picked up a check worth $775 in Puyallup after placing in the first round. He finished fifth in the average with 156 points on two, so he qualified for the semifinals as well. However, Calgary Stampede’s Liquer Whiskey made quick work of him in the semifinal round and he ended up with a no score. Unfortunately, Heith missed the cut for Omaha so he will have to make up his ground in the world standings at the other rodeos between now and Sept. 30. He is currently 16th in the world standings, so he is very much on the bubble. My other traveling partner, Bradley Harter, didn’t have any luck in Puyallup but made the cut for Omaha in 11th place. However, Bradley is 26th in the world right now and is about $18,000 out of the top 15. The next few weeks should be very interesting.

 After Puyallup, we went to Pendleton (Ore.). Last year, I finished in a tie for first there and was hoping to repeat or win the title outright this year. However, it wasn’t meant to be as I didn’t do well on my first one. However, Heith turned in an 85 on his first one to finish in a tie with Brad Rudolf for first place in the round. In the final round, he posted an 80 giving him 165 points on two head. He ended up seventh in the average but added to his 2007 earnings, which is extremely important right now.

 This week I plan to hit the rodeos in El Paso, Texas, Texarkana, Ark., Amarillo, Texas, and Oklahoma City before heading to Omaha. Hopefully I will have good news to report after Omaha.

 Wish me luck,

Cody  

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