There’s something about a near miss that can stoke the fire or end it for good.
Seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc rider Sterling Crawley just missed out on his eighth qualification a year ago, finishing in rodeo’s “crying hole” at 16th in the 2022 PRCA | RAM World Standings.
By his own admission, it knocked the fire down for a time, but Crawley came roaring back as the 2024 ProRodeo season got underway in October with a huge win at the RAM Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo in Waco, Oct. 13.
Crawley dominated four broncs, earning 330.5 points to easily clinch the average and win $8,572 — money that counts toward the early season world standings as he eyes a return to rodeo’s Super Bowl.
“That bubble race will wear a guy out,” Crawley admitted of the hard-fought battle to end 2022, where he missed the trip to Vegas by a scant $2,816. He rodeoed some in 2023, landing 25th, but plans to go harder this season. “I’ve found the love and fire again.”
The reignited passion has been evident in the last month. Crawley finished third at the Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash. and then third again in Sioux Falls, S.D. at the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup presented by Community Coffee to put an exclamation point on 2023.
“It’s been very good to us, the blessings have been coming and coming.”
Crawley added his second circuit finals title, and first in more than a decade, to begin 2024.
“It’s just the second week of the new season and this is a nice, fun way to kick start the year,” Crawley said. “With the Texas Circuit adding the rounds to the finals and getting the money up there, it’s a really good place to have some luck.”
Crawley began his circuit finals aboard a familiar horse in Rafter G Rodeo’s Texan on the opening night, Oct. 10, placing third with a solid 80-point ride.
“In the second round, I had a horse of Stockyards called Cub Scout that I had never seen but my buddies said only good things about him,” he said. Gathering 81 points in that round, he earned another check for fourth.
His third-round dancing partner was Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Border Town, a horse Crawley’s brother, PRCA World Champion Jacobs, had drawn at the circuit finals the year before.
“He was outstanding and allowed us to get a round win,” Crawley noted of his 86-point ride.
He carried a seven-point lead into the fourth and final round and was able to wrap up the title with a smooth 83.5 aboard Pickett Pro Rodeo Co’s Quite Fancy.
Crawley heaped praise on the Texas Circuit committee for the changes instituted a year ago, including adding the fourth go-round.
“I enjoy it,” he said. “It takes away a little of the drawing contest part of it.”
The added bonus is the proximity to his Stephenville home, plus the chance to compete in Saturday’s Heart O’Texas Fair & Rodeo performance.
“We’ve got another rodeo tomorrow, so you get five days of rodeo in row, all an hour and a half from the house,” he said. “You can’t beat that.”
Other winners at the $296,263 rodeo were all-around cowboy Slade Wood ($8,598, steer roping and team roping); bareback rider Kade Berry (333.5 points on four head); steer wrestler Justin Shaffer (15.7 seconds on four head); team ropers Manny Egusquiza Jr./Evan Arnold (25.2 seconds on four head); tie-down roper John Douch (32.3 seconds on four head); barrel racer Ashley Castleberry (63.62 seconds on four runs); breakaway roper Jackie Crawford (10.8 seconds on four head); steer roper Slade Wood (42.3 seconds on three head); and bull rider Cody Teel (255 points on three head).
Courtesy of PRCA
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