COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Shorty Garrett knows how important PRCA’s Circuit system is.
Back in 2020, the Badlands Circuit saddle bronc rider won the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo and it propelled him to his lone appearance at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Garrett is back to try and get a second national championship, this time at the NFR Open powered by RAM (formerly the RNCFR).
The Eagle Butte, S.D., cowboy put himself in good position to claim his second national circuit title as he’s leading the average after two rides with 164.5 points. Garrett climbed to the top of the leaderboard with an 86-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Rude Roommate on Wednesday night at the Norris Penrose Event Center.
“I had never been on that horse, and I had seen it several times and was dang sure happy to have it,” said Garrett, 30. “My horse last night (Beutler & Son Rodeo’s No Show Jones, he had a 78.5-point ride) was a little weaker and I was hoping this one was going to do his job and he did. I’m dang sure in a good spot after two rides.”
Garrett is in the mix to make a return trip to the 2023 Wrangler NFR as he is 23rd in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $51,000. He also made sure he would be competing in the NFR Open powered by RAM.
“We were in the first perf of the (Calgary Stampede) so we could make this happen,” Garrett said. “Then, we will go to Sheridan (Wyo.) (Thursday) and Elko, Nev. (Friday) and right back here (to Colorado Springs) Saturday.”
The next NFR Open performance is at 7 p.m. (MT) Thursday.
More than 200 of the top rodeo contestants from each of the 12 U.S. and Canadian Circuits, plus national champions from Mexico will converge on Colorado Springs, Colo., until July 15 for the 2023 NFR Open powered by RAM.
The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo kicked off Tuesday night and runs through July 15. It is one of the biggest rodeos of the ProRodeo season with $1 million in payouts to contestants, livestock and other PRCA members.
“If you can (win the NFR Open) it will make things less stressful,” Garrett said. “Say, you’re not drawing good, and you need to get going to these rodeos and you need money won, it makes it that much easier if you can get a jump on things. I have had success at the national circuit finals rodeo, I really like it.”
After just missing the NFR in 2021 and 2022, finishing 20th and 18th, respectively in the world standings, Garrett wants to make it to the yellow bucking chutes in Las Vegas. When Garrett competed at the Wrangler NFR in 2020 it was at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, because of COVID-19 restrictions in Las Vegas.
“We’ve been close and we’re ready to break through and get back to the finals,” Garrett said. “It was cool we got to ride in Arlington and that was probably a once-in-a-lifetime deal, but there’s also nothing like Las Vegas. When you’re a little kid all you dream about is getting to ride in the Thomas & Mack (Center). You eat, sleep and dream it and hopefully things will go my way and I will be there.”
The remaining five performances of the NFR Open will be broadcast live on The Cowboy Channel and stream on the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App, July 12-15.
Source: ProRodeo
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