Athens — Throughout the 2010 and 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, fans watched all three sons of the legendary roper Roy Cooper compete in tie-down roping.

But during the 2012 NFR, only Tuf Cooper and Clif Cooper made the cut. Clint Cooper, the eldest brother, missed the cut after finishing 27th in the world standings. With that in mind, fans can expect the oldest Cooper brother to make a harder push toward qualifying for the 2013 NFR.

Clint Cooper, who lives in Decatur, took a step toward earning an NFR berth by winning the Dec. 28-29 Winter Classic in Mesquite. He earned $1,405 after turning in a time of 7.9 seconds at the Resistol Arena. According to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Clint Cooper was ranked fourth in the 2013 world standings that were released on Jan. 2.

The other winners of the Winter Classic were bareback rider D.V. Fennell (75 points), steer wrestler A.D. Davis II (3.9 seconds), team ropers Tyler Waters and Nick Rowland and Brandon Vaske and Chase Boekhaus (4.5 seconds), saddle bronc riders Wyatt Barstow and Sterling Crawley (80 points each) and bull rider Bayle Worden (87 points).

The rodeo offered competitors $34,312.

Stace Smith of Athens, who has won the PRCA's Stock Contractor of the Year Award for the past nine years, served as the senior stock contractor.

PBR update

The Professional Bull Riders began its 20th season with a Jan. 4-6 tour stop in New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Throughout 2013, Silvano Alves, a Brazilian who lives in the North Texas town of Decatur, will attempt to earn a record third consecutive PBR world title. Last year, Alves became PBR’s the first cowboy to win back-to-back gold buckles.

The PBR, which is the world’s toughest and most lucrative pro bull riding league, conducted its first season in 1994. Adriano Moraes, a Brazilian, clinched the first world title after competing in the inaugural World Finals at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Moraes earned three world titles, the most of any PBR competitor. He also garnered gold buckles in 2001 and 2006. Alves, Chris Shivers (2000 and 2003) and Justin McBride (2005 and 2007) each have two titles.

Since 2003, the PBR world champion has received a $1 million bonus. McBride, who competed from 1999 through 2009, is the PBR’s all-time leading money winner with $5,124,418, which also is a record for any rodeo of bull riding association.

Over the years, the PBR has thrived on campaigning on national TV. In the early years, fans watched the broadcasts on The Nashville Network.

CBS Sports Network was contracted to broadcast this year's New York City show.

The PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series tour also will stop in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico in the near future. The tour stops in Oklahoma City on Jan. 25-27, at Arlington's Cowboys Stadium on March 2, and in Albuquerque on March 22-24.

The 2013 World Finals is scheduled for Oct. 23-27 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

For more information, visit www.pbr.com.

Fort Worth rodeo scheduled

The Fort Worth Stock Show is just around the corner and fans can expect to see the world's top competitors saddle up for the 117th edition. The Best of the West Ranch Rodeo is scheduled for Jan. 18-19, the "Best of Mexico Celebración" is Jan. 20, the Cowboys of Color Rodeo is Jan. 21, the Bulls' Night Out is Jan. 22-23 and the PRCA show is Jan. 24-Feb. 9.

For more information, visit www.fwssr.com or call 817-877-2420.