KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Tim O’Connell doesn’t have to chase a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association national championship anymore.
The standout bareback rider checked that goal off his list when he won the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo Sunday at the Silver Spurs Arena.
“I’ve never made it out of the semifinals here before, so to come in here to the finals and win it against four great competitors and four great bucking horses is amazing,” said O’Connell, who was making his second trip to the RNCFR. “The good Lord just blessed me.”
O’Connell clinched the national title with an 84-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Feather Fluffer in the finals. O’Connell advanced into the finals by placing fourth in the semis with a 77-point ride on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Universal Mamma Don’t No.
“Winning the RNCFR is the next biggest thing you can do in ProRodeo,” said O’Connell, 24. “My ultimate goal this year is to walk out of the 10th round of the NFR (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER) with a gold buckle on my belt, but I’m happy to strap this one on that says national champion. Half the guys here at the RNCFR were at the NFR last year and the other half are on their way. The RNCFR is a big-time rodeo.”
For his performance in Kissimmee, O’Connell left town with a $24,915 check. He also was pleased that he was able to get redemption against Feather Fluffer.
“I had been on Feather Fluffer before in Ellensburg (Wash.) last year, but I had a broken left (riding) hand and she kind of owned me,” O’Connell said. “She made me look stupid. I was hoping I would get a chance to get on her again under different circumstances and things worked out great for me today. That horse is so awesome. She gives a guy everything he absolutely needs. She kicks, she blows up and it was just so much fun to get to do what I love and I’m so blessed to be a national champ.”
O’Connell has qualified for the past two NFRs, finishing a career-best fourth last season. He was third in the April 4 WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings with $43,608.
O’Connell certainly wasn’t alone in celebrating. Team ropers – header Jake Orman and heeler Tyler Domingue – won the most money of any of the RNCFR event winners, collecting $26,601 each. They qualified out of the Texas Circuit to make their RNCFR debut.
Orman and Domingue did rope together last season, but Domingue hasn’t been roping on the PRCA circuit this season.
“We practiced one time before we came down here and this is just awesome,” Orman said. “This is the most money I’ve ever won. It is pretty cool.”
Domingue, who has been best friends with Orman for the last six years, also was basking in the win.
“It’s a great feeling to be a national champ, that’s for sure,” Domingue said. “Jake and I have always roped good together, but we took a break this winter and when we made it here I was excited I got to rope with him. To win here just makes things that much more special.”
Josh Peek, who has had immense success the last couple of years at the RNCFR, won the all-around title for the second year in a row. He left Kissimmee with $30,160 in checks from steer wrestling and tie-down roping. A year ago at the RNCFR at the Silver Spurs Arena, he won $18,171.
“It feels great to repeat as the all-around champion,” Peek said. “I have a great support system and it’s awesome to have this kind of success again.”
The other champions at the Silver Spurs Arena were steer wrestler Josh Boka, saddle bronc rider Rusty Wright, tie-down roper Clint Kindred, barrel racer Ivy Conrado and bull rider Parker Breding.
Texas won the team title with $134,408, just edging out the Prairie Circuit which won $124,447. It was the third win in four years for Texas and the Lone Star State now has a record 13 titles in the event’s 30-year history.
Event winners each received a $20,000 voucher toward the purchase of a new RAM Truck and a Polaris RANGER utility vehicle in addition to their winnings.
Highlights from the RNCFR will be televised on CBS Sports Net; see ProRodeo.com/TV for the telecast schedule.
RNCFR
Kissimmee, Fla., April 7-10
All-around cowboy: Josh Peek, $30,160, steer wrestling and tie-down roping.
Bareback riding: First round: 1. (tie) Chase Erickson, on United Pro Rodeo’s Little Dougy, and R.C. Landingham, on Big Rafter Rodeo’s Logan’s Crossing, Mason Clements, on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Miss Dunny, Tim O’Connell, on Korkow Rodeo’s Bambino Vold, 83.5 points, $4,121 each; 5. Ty Breuer, 80.5, $1,311; 6. Jake Brown, 80, $937. Second round: 1. Tim O’Connell, 87 points on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Painted Coast, $6,182; 2. Jake Brown, 85, $4,683; 3. (tie) Tanner Aus and Clayton Biglow, 82.5, $2,810 each; 5. Evan Jayne, 81.5, $1,311; 6. R.C. Landingham, 81, $937. Average: 1. Tim O’Connell, 170.5 points on two head, $6,182; 2. Jake Brown, 165, $4,683; 3. R.C. Landingham, 164.5, $3,372; 4. Chase Erickson, 164, $2,248; 5. Ty Breuer, 159.5, $1,311; 3. Clayton Biglow, 158.5, $937. Semifinals: 1. Frank Morton, 85 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s YoYo, $7,493; 2. (tie) Chase Lambert and Evan Jayne, 80, $4,683 each; 4. (tie) Tanner Aus and Tim O’Connell, 77, $937 each. Finals: 1. Tim O’Connell, 84 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Feather Fluffer, $7,493; 2. Evan Jayne, 80, $5,620; 3. Frank Morton, 77, $3,747; 4. Chase Erickson, 74, $1,873.
Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Sterling Lambert, 4.6 seconds, $6,182; 2. Riley Duvall, 4.8, $4,683; 3. (tie) Cody Pratt and Jule Hazen, 4.9, $2,810 each; 5. Shayde Etherton, 5.3, $1,311; 6. (tie) Colt Floyd and Blaine Jones, 5.6, $468 each. Second round: 1. Josh Peek, 4.0 seconds, $6,182; 2. Riley Duvall, 4.2, $4,683; 3. Jon Ragatz, 4.6, $3,311; 4. Josh Boka, 4.7, $2,248; 5. Ty Erickson, 4.8, $1,311; 6. Juan Alcazar Jr., 5.0, $937. Average: 1. Riley Duvall, 9.0 seconds on two head, $6,182; 2. Josh Peek, 9.6, $4,683; 3. Sterling Lambert, 9.9, $3,311; 4. Josh Boka, 10.3, $2,248; 5. Jule Hazen, 10.8, $1,311; 6. Cody Pratt, 11.8, $937. Semifinals: 1. Sterling Lambert, 4.2 seconds, $7,493; 2. Josh Peek, 4.3, $5,620; 3. Josh Boka, 4.4, $3,747; 4. Kyle Whitaker, 4.8, $1,873. Finals: 1. Josh Boka, 4.5 seconds, $7,493; 2. Kyle Whitaker, $5,620; 3. Josh Peek, 5.1, $3,747; 4. Sterling Lambert, 5.2, $1,873.
Team roping: First round: 1. Jake Orman/Tyler Domingue, 5.3 seconds, $6,182 each; 2. Billy Bob Brown/Garrett Jess, 6.3, $4,683; 3. J.B. Lord/Levi Lord, 6.5, $3,372; 4. Andrew Ward/Tyler Worley, 6.6, $2,248; 5. (tie) Tyler Wade/Kinney Harrell, Barak Freeman/Asher Freeman and Eric Fabian/Shawn Quinn, 6.9, $749 each. Second round: 1. Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 4.8 seconds. $6,182 each; 2. Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, 5.1, $4,683; 3. Spencer Mitchell/Russell Cardoza, 5.3, $3,372; 4. Jade Stoddard/Ike Folsom, 5.5, $2,247; 5. Shawn Bessette/Sid Sporer, 6.1, $1,311; 6. Billy Brown/Garrett Jess, 6.2, $937. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Billy Brown/Garrett Jess and Jake Orman/Tyler Domingue, 12.5 seconds on two head, $5,433 each; 3. Shawn Bessette/Sid Sporer, 13.4, $4,683; 4. Ryan VonAhn/J.W. Beck, 13.5, $2,247; 5. Jade Stoddard/Ike Folsom, $1,311; 6. Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 15.1, $937. Semifinals: 1. Jake Orman/Tyler Domingue, 6.5 seconds, $7,493 each; 2. Shawn Bessette/Sid Sporer, 7.3, $5,620; 3. Billy Brown/Garrett Jess, 7.4, $3,747; 4. Colman Proctor/Jake Long, 11.3, $1,873. Finals: 1. Jake Orman/Tyler Domingue, 4.4 seconds, $7,493 each; 2. Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 5.0, $5,620; 3. Shawn Bessette/Sid Sporer, 5.8, $3,747; no other qualified runs.
Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 84 points on Sutton Rodeo’s Prom Night, $6,182; 2. Allen Boore, 82, $4,683; 3. J.J. Elshere, 81, $3,372; 4. (tie) Sam Spreadborough, Heith DeMoss and Rusty Wright, 80.5, $1,499 each. Second round: 1. Joaquin Real, 83 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Another Gray, $6,182; 2. (tie) Curtis Garton and J.J. Elshere, 82, $4,028; 4. Allen Boore, 81.5, $2,248; 5. Rusty Wright, 81, $1,311; 6. (tie) Doug Aldridge and Sam Spreadborough, 79.5, $468 each. Average leaders: 1. Allen Boore, 163.5 points on two head, $6,182; 2. J.J. Elshere, 163, $4,683; 3. Rusty Wright, 161.5, $3,372; 4. Curtis Garton, 161, $2,247; 5. Sam Spreadborough, 160, $1,311; 6. Jacobs Crawley, 159, $937. Semifinals: 1. Rusty Wright, 84 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Spade, $7,493; 2. Jesse James Kirby, 83, $5,620; 3. Jacobs Crawley, 80.5, $3,747; 4. Sam Spreadborough, 79.5, $1,873. Finals: 1. Rusty Wright, 85.5 points on Brookman-Hyland Rodeo’s Kid Rock, $7,493; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 84, $5,620; 3. Sam Spreadborough, 79.5, $3,747; no other qualified rides.
Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Sterling Smith, 7.8 seconds, $6,182; 2. Josh Peek, 7.9, $4,683; 3. Cole Bailey, 8.7, $3,372; 4. Taylor Santos, 8.9, $2,248; 5. Timber Moore, 9.8, $1,311; 6. Brice Ingo, 10.0, $937. Second round: 1. Clint Kindred, 8.2 seconds, $6,182; 2. J.D. Kibbe, 8.4, $4,683; 3. Blake Ash, 8.8, $3,372; 4. Cy Eames, 9.0, $2,248; 5. (tie) Timber Moore, Blake Hirdes, Sterling Smith and Josh Peek, 9.2, $562 each. Average leaders: 1. Sterling Smith, 17.0 seconds on two head, $6,182; 2. Josh Peek, 17.1, $4,683; 3. Cole Bailey, 18.8, $3,272; 4. Timber Moore, 19.0, $2,248; 5. Clint Kindred, 19.2, $1,311; 6. Blake Hirdes, 19.4, $937. Semifinals: 1. Cole Bailey, 7.8 seconds, $7,493; 2. Taylor Santos, 8.2, $5,620; 3. Clint Kindred, 8.4, $3,747; 4. Blake Hirdes, 9.5, $1,873. Finals: 1. Clint Kindred, 7.9 seconds, $7,493; 2. Blake Hirdes, 8.3, $5,620; 3. Taylor Santos, 9.9, $3,747; no other qualified runs.
Barrel racing: First round: 1. Sherry Cervi, 15.58 seconds, $6,182; 2. Emily Miller, 15.86, $4,683; 3. Sarah Kieckhefer, 15.90, $3,372; 4. Kelly Tovar, 15.92, $3,372; 5. Calyssa Thomas, 15.94, $1,311; 6. Ivy Conrado, 15.95, $937. Second round: 1. Emily Miller, 15.71 seconds, $6,182; 2. Ivy Conrado, 15.77, $4,683; 3. Natalie Foutch, 15.84, $3,372; 4. Sherry Cervi, 15.86, $2,248; 5. (tie) Callahan Crossley and Andrea Busby, 15.91, $1,124 each. Average leaders: 1. Sherry Cervi, 31.44 seconds on two head, $6,182; 2. Emily Miller, 31.57, $4,683; 3. Ivy Conrado, 31.72, $3,372; 4. Sarah Kieckhefer, 31.96, $2,248; 5. (tie) Callahan Crossley and Kristine Knauf, 31.97, $1,124 each. Semifinals: 1.Callahan Crossley, 15.81 seconds, $7,493; 2. Pamela Capper, 15.95, $5,620; 3. Ivy Conrado, 16.02, $3,747; 4. Sarah Kieckhefer, 16.06, $1,873. Finals: 1. Ivy Conrado, 15.47 seconds, $7,493; 2. Callahan Crossley, 15.76, $3,747; 3. Sarah Kieckhefer, 15.90, $3,737; 4. Pamela Capper, 16.07, $1,873.
Bull riding: First round: 1. Jake Gowdy, 81 points on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Gentleman Jack, $6,182; 2. Cody Rostockyj, 80.5, $4,683; 3. Lon Danley, 75.5, $3,372; no other qualified rides. Second round: 1. Parker Breding, 86 points on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Sour Mash, $6,182; 2. Jake Gowdy, 79.5, $4,683; 3. Lane Selz, 76, $3,372; no other qualified rides. Average leaders: 1. Jake Gowdy, 160.5 points on two head, $6,182; 2. Parker Breding, 86 points on one head, $4,683; 3. Cody Rostockyj, 80, $3,372; 4. Lane Selz, 76, $2,248; 5. Lon Danley, 75, $1,311; no other qualified rides. Semifinals: No qualified rides. Finals: 1. Parke Breding, 87.5 points on Brookman-Hyland Rodeo’s Little Chubby, $7,493; no other qualified rides.
Total payoff: $704,353. Stock contractors: Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo, Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, United Pro Rodeo, Brookman-Hyland Rodeo, Big Rafter Rodeo, Klein Brothers Pro Rodeo, Harry Vold Rodeo, Korkow Rodeos, Hi Lo ProRodeo, Rafter H Rodeo Livestock, Silver Spurs Club, Sutton Rodeos, Three Hills Rodeo, Silver Creek Rodeo, Pickett Rodeo and Stace Smith Pro Rodeos, Pete Carr Pro Rodeo.
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