LAS VEGAS – Coleman Proctor had a chance to win Friday’s second round of the National Finals Rodeo.
“I was trying to win good the round, and I thought we made a good run,” Proctor said, referring to him and his heeler, Logan Medlin. “I kind of fouled up the finish a little bit. I got a little excited and waved the slack. Anytime the slack goes to moving, those flaggers get a little bit sticky. They want to make sure you don’t face too early. I didn’t finish great tonight.”
They still stopped the clock in 4.3 seconds, good enough for fourth place in the round, worth $14,127. In two nights of competition, he’s pocketed $44,231, shoving his 2024 team roping earnings to $220,021. He is the third-ranked heeler in the world standings.
It also benefitted his position in the all-around race, where he is second, just $18,606 behind the leader, tie-down roper Shad Mayfield.
“We’re winning money every time we walk in there, and that’s the name of the game,” said Proctor, 39, of Pryor, Oklahoma. “Then we’ll see how it all plays out. Tyler Wade (and Wesley Thorp) are looking like a juggernaut, and you can’t do much about it.”
Wade and Thorp, the defending world champion team ropers, have won both the first two rounds and sit atop the money list heading into Saturday’s third round.
“You’ve just got to keep up on your game and see what comes to you,” Proctor said.
Life is busy for the Oklahoma cowboy. Besides roping, he has other duties each of the 10 days, including hosting a couple of shows, including a pregame show at the Purina Stage on the steps of the Thomas & Mack Center. That works for Proctor.
“I like being busy during that time of day,” he said. “That means you’re doing something right because people want you around doing stuff. It also allows me to put the rodeo where I get to focus on it an hour and a half before, just like a normal rodeo. I don’t get to stew around on it all day. I don’t get to be frustrated or totally excited for 24 hours.”
There’s no fret in his approach, and he’s definitely comfortable with his teammates. Not only does he rely heavily on Medlin and his horsepower, Proctor also has his own comfort zone in Heisman, a powerful bay gelding that thrives inside the Thomas & Mack.
“Our timing feels great, and Heisman is the absolute best horse for me and our team in this building,” Proctor said. “He’s such a weapon in these setups. He allows me to be a great header when the barriers are set like it is here. It’s in these tight conditions when you have to deal with the left wall.
When I get to them, then I have Logan Medlin behind me on his horsepower. Those are just two aces you’ve got in the whole. Anytime you’re in Vegas with a couple of pocket aces, you’re feeling pretty good about your position.”