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November 27, 2009

BRETT HOFFMAN: World title race goes down to the wire

By Brett Hoffman

At the National Finals Steer Roping, the world title race went down to the last round.

Rocky Patterson of Pratt, Kan., clinched the world title after winning the 10th round with a time of 11.3 seconds and earned $6,008 on Nov. 14 in Guthrie, Okla. The winning run also helped Patterson finish third in the average, which was worth $11,322.

After the dust settled, Patterson clinched the title with $80,923. Scott Snedecor, the 2008 world champion, was second with $79,492.

Patterson placed in seven of the 10 rounds and pocketed $31,283 at the NFSR.

Bryce Davis of Abilene, the only cowboy who made a qualified run on 10 steers, won the average in his first NFSR appearance.

Defending world all-around champion Trevor Brazile of Decatur earned $26,510 to lift his season earnings to $288,588. That moves Brazile a step closer to winning a record-tying seventh all-around title. He will enter the Dec. 3-12 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas with a lead of $144,638 over second place Clint Robinson.

Cash Myers of Athens also competed in the NFSR. He earned $15,989 during the two-day show and finished ninth in the world standings with $42,826.

A new format

In recent years, the Texas Stampede in Dallas has been the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's season-ending event.

But this year, the Stampede was converted into an all-star rodeo of bucking stock riders and barrel racers.

The event was held Nov. 13-14 the American Airlines Center. The Stampede's rodeo performances featured eight contestants in each event, and they vied for a share of the $80,000 purse.

Though the prize money does not count in the PRCA world standings, many of the contestants said the rodeo was a great way to warm up for the NFR.

Clint Cannon of Waller, who will head into the National Finals with a commanding lead in the world bareback riding title race, won the Stampede. Other champions were J.W. Harris, of May, bull riding; Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., barrel racing; and Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, Mont., saddle bronc riding.

Back again

Less than two weeks after completing its 2009 World Finals in Las Vegas, the Professional Bull Riders will began its 2010 Built Ford Tough Series.

The first tour stop was in Duluth, Ga., on Nov 20-22. The Ford Series’ season opener will be held in conjunction with the Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour Championship, a finale for the PBR’s lower tier tours.

Many of the top cowboys who compete in Georgia this weekend also will ride in the Dickies Iron Cowboy Invitational, which is scheduled for Feb. 20 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

Lostroh’s surgery

Kody Lostroh clinched the PBR’s 2009 Ford Series world title Nov. 8. Three days later, the Longmont, Colo., cowboy underwent surgery on his left elbow (the arm he uses to hang on).

Lostroh told www.pbrnow.com senior writer Keith Ryan Cartwright that surgeons “took out bone chips, tightened up the lateral ligament and repaired some muscle tissue.” The 2009 world champion said the surgery was successful and he plans to return in January.

Cutting horse update

The Borden Milk National Cutting Horse Association Futurity, which features the first jewel of the sport's Triple Crown Series, is scheduled for Nov. 21-Dec. 13 in Fort Worth. The NCHA also will feature its World Finals this week and the week of Nov. 27-28.

Brett Hoffman is a 20-year rodeo columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and a Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame member. Email him at brett@myrodeoinsider.com.

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