GOODING, Idaho – Since he was a child, Tyke Kipp has had the same dream of being one of the best cowboys to have ever competed.
He’s given it a shot for much of his 11-year career. As one of the first steer wrestlers competing Thursday during the opening performance of the Gooding Pro Rodeo, he set the mark for all the others to beat when he stopped the clock in 4.2 seconds. It was a positive move in the right direction.
“Right now I think I’m 50th in the world, but I’m not too far out of 30th,” said Kipp, 31, of Lordsburg, New Mexico. “My goal this year was obviously to make the (National Finals Rodeo), but if not that, then try to be in the top 32.”
Being among the top this year will allow Kipp the opportunity to compete in the big, indoor rodeos through the winter months. Some only take the top 32 in each event, so being in that mix gives him a better shot of earning even more money next season. It’s all about development and building for the future.
Steer wrestling is one of the toughest events. The difference between first and 50th is always tight, and it will come down to the final weekend of the regular season to decide how they finish on the money list.
“I believe there are a hundred guys entered here in Gooding,” Kipp said. “I hope this (4.2-second run) wins good, but the best 100 in the world are entered here. I guess we’ll have to see how it all shakes out.”
Everybody bulldogs well, so the difference could come down to the horsepower. For his part, Kipp relies on Tommy, which is hauled by his traveling partner, Logan Kenline of Penrose, Colorado.
“That horse is just super easy,” Kipp said. “He’s easy to ride, and he’s really fast, but the biggest thing is how good he is in the (starting) box. Our game is a game of inches, and you’ve got to have a horse that really reacts off your hand, and he does.”
What’s it going to take to secure a spot at the NFR by being among the top 15 bulldoggers on the money list?
“Just keep making good runs like that throughout the rest of the year here in the fourth quarter,” he said. “Hopefully speed things up, and hopefully that will get me over the hump.”
Gooding Pro Rodeo
Aug. 14-17
Bareback riding: 1. Cole Reiner, 91 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail; 2. Ethan Mazurenko, 89; 3. Keenan Hayes, 88.5; 4. Cooper Cooke, 86; 5. Lane McGehee, 84.5; 6. Bradlee Miller, 84; 7. Mason Clements, 83; 8. (tie) Orin Larsen and Ethan Crouch, 82.
Steer wrestling 1. Tyke Kipp, 4.2 seconds; 2. Stephen Culling, 4.4; 3. Logan Kenline, 4.7; 4. (tie) Dalton Massey and Ryan Schuckburgh, 5.1; 6. Gage Hesse, 15.2; no other qualified runs.
Team roping 1. Rhett Anderson/Jared Fillmore, 5.0 seconds; 2. Brodi Jones/Arye Espenscheid, 5.3; 3. Tanner Pallesen/Jade Espenscheid, 6.9; no other qualified runs.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zac Dallas, 87.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John; 2. Wyatt Casper, 86; 3. Noel Johnson, 83.5; 4. Traylin Martin, 81.5; 5. (tie) Brady Hill and Stran Nielson, 81; 7. Leon Fountain, 80.5; 8. Sterling Crawley, 80
Breakaway roping: 1. Hali Williams, 1.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Kacie Wiersma, Madalyn Richards and Aspen Miller, 2.0; 5. (tie) Addy Hill, Martha Angelone, Beau Peterson, Aubryn Bedke and Shelli Scrivner, 2.1; 10. (tie) Hope Thompson, Sarah Angelone and Tiffany Schieck, 2.2; 13. (tie) Maddy Deerman, Timber Allenbrand and Eryn Maddock, 2.3.
Tie-down roping: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.5 seconds; 2. Chisum Allen, 8.2; 3. Haven Meged, 8.3; 4. Colton Farquer, 8.5; 5. (tie) Blane Cox, Jake Hannum and Zack Jongbloed, 8.6; 8. Trevor Hale, Seth Hall, Beau Cooper and Marcos Costa, 8.7.
Barrel racing: 1. Kassie Mowry, 16.76 seconds; 2. (tie) Jordon Briggs and Carlee Otero, 16.79; 4. Chelsea Moore, 16.82; 5. Keyla Costa, 16.86; 6. Ashley Castleberry, 16.87; 7. Andrea Busby, 16.92; 8. (tie) Toria Madsen, Sharin Hall, Steely Steiner and Tiany Schuster, 16.95; 12. (tie) Morgan Backstrom and Halyn Lide, 16.98; 14. LaTricia Duke, 17.03; 15. Stephanie Fryar, 17.11.
Bull riding: 1. Jeter Lawrence, 87 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Rosco; 2. Stephan Tonita, 85.5; 3. Trevor Reiste, 83.5; 4. Jeff Bertus, 83; 5. Mason Moody, 80; 6. Ethan Skogquist, 75. no other qualified rides.