Team roper Rogers places fourth at NM Fair, earns trip to WNFR
By Quentin Jodie
Navajo Times
ALBUQUERQUE, Sept. 25, 2014
The Round Rock, Ariz., cowboy placed fourth overall with a 5.2 run in the final performance of the fair with partner Corey Petska.
Both ropers pocketed $3,147 each, which will push Rogers’ year-end total over the $100,000 mark when the world standings are updated in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Rogers is currently ranked the No. 2 header behind event leader Clay Tryan of Billings, Mont.
While winning the go-round at the fair was his goal, Rogers said he wanted to play it safe by catching his draw during last Friday’s performance at Tingley Coliseum.
“Tonight the steer was pretty good,” he said. “We wanted to win but it pays to catch. As long as we catch and it puts money in the bank we’re doing pretty good."
The other incentive, he said, was to start the new circuit year on a winning note.
“This is our circuit rodeo,” he said.
The bigger picture, however, is that Rogers will be making his fourth consecutive trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev., later this year.
“It’s an awesome feeling to get back into that arena,” Rogers said of the famed Thomas & Mack Center. “A lot of people want to get there but it’s hard to get there. I am just so lucky and blessed to have a good partner and a good horse to get me there.”
How to get The Times: