PECOS, Texas – Opening night of the 2013 West of the Pecos Rodeo will feature some interesting match-ups and some of the greatest stars in ProRodeo.
Dirty Jacket, the 9-year-old bay gelding from Carr Pro Rodeo, is one of the greatest bucking horses in the sport. Last season, he was the PRCA’s runner-up reserve world champion bareback horse and the Texas Circuit’s Bareback Horse of the Year. Tonight he will be matched against Taylor Price, a rising star from Huntsville, Texas.
Other key match-ups in bareback riding are Bill Tutor of Huntsville, Texas, on Carr’s Hometown Girl and Micky Downare of Hartsel, Colo., on Carr’s Island Girl. In bronc riding, Travis Sheets of Hyannis, Neb., has drawn Carr’s Corner Guard, while Jesse Bail of Camp Crook, S.D., has Carr’s Lonestar.
Bull riding will feature a who’s who of elite cowboys, including NFR qualifiers Jarrod Craig of Hillsboro, Texas vs. Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Black Friday; Beau Schroeder of China, Texas, on Classic’s Footloose; Howdy Cloud of Kountze, Texas, on Carr’s Panther; and Trey Benton III of Rock Island, Texas, on Classic’s Razor.
In addition, reigning world champ Cody Teel of Kountze will try his skills with Carr’s Fletch, and 2011 gold buckle-holder Shane Proctor of Grand Coulee, Wash., has Classic’s Priefert Pride, while world standings leader Tyler Smith of Fruita, Colo., will match Classic’s Cool Customer.
This is an explosive way to kick start the 130th year of the World’s First Rodeo. It’s my first time to Pecos, and I hope it’s the start of something magical.