In The Arena
Bob Feist
The Wrangler National Finals will once again showcase the top 15 in the PRCA in the great city of Las Vegas. This year brings many new things to light at the Finals and the most noticeable is the payoff, which has risen from a total figure of $6,375,000 to $8,800,000. This is the first year of the new payout and it will be affecting the year-end dollars of all the contestants. This has been a long time coming and my Resistol Hat’s off to all of those involved in getting this increase.
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September is a busy month and the last big month for those trying to make the top 15 in the PRCA. Many of the events are close and as of this writing Cody Snow of Los Olivos, Calif., is leading for the Resistol Rookie of the Year in the Heading by quite a margin. He is sitting 22nd in the standings heading for Dugan Kelly, who is in the 15th spot for the heeling. In the old days, Dugan could have invited Cody to rope at the NFR if he makes it, but Cody will have to move up at least seven notches to make it on his own. As I write this, he will have a good chance as he is entered in the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo where the payoff is huge and could give him the money he needs to do it.
It’s a great time of year with all of the Spring rodeos in the west and the BFI just around the corner, June 22, held in conjunction with the Reno Rodeo. What a great week of rodeo and ropings, starting with all of the pre-ropings prior to the BFI, then following the BFI is the Reno Rodeo Invitational hosted by Perry DiLoreto and family, followed by the Reno Rodeo Ladies Invitational. Man, that is some kind of week with the headquarters hotel again being the Silver Legacy. Be sure and get your room reserved so you can hang out with the BFI ropers and enjoy the great food and fun at the Silver Legacy. Call today and ask for the special BFI rate, 1-800-687-7733.
Well, the 38th Bob Feist Invitational is over and I’ll be the first to admit that the Wrangler Short Round at this year’s roping was probably one of the greatest ever. The top 15 teams come back in the Wrangler Short Round and it started off with Nick Sartain and Rich Skelton and of course being 15th meant they had to go for the round and they did not draw the best steer and went out of the average with a no time. Team roping fans were just glad to see Rich Skelton back on a horse and competing after a very serious accident.