Steer Wrestler Jacob Talley Earns San Angelo Title

SAN ANGELO, TX – For Jacob Talley, riding fast horses is imperative if he hopes to make a living in ProRodeo.

Talley did just that over the past three weeks, knocking down three animals in 11.5 seconds to win the steer wrestling title at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. In all, he pocketed $9,642 and continues to push his momentum through the early part of the 2018 season.

“You could tell from slack last week that it was going to be fast,” said Talley, a 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Keatchie, La. “None of those steers were running super hard, and the setup worked pretty well. We knew coming into the short round that it was going to be a fast bulldogging.”

WATCH Jacob Tally:
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It was. Scott Guenthner of Provost, Alberta, and 2016 world champion Tyler Waguespack of Gonzales, La., won the round with 3.7-second runs, but Talley finished third; his cumulative time was just two-tenths of a second ahead of runner-up Dakota Eldridge of Elko, Nev.

“It’s one thing to just place here and there, but I’ve been pretty consistent since the year turned over,” Talley said, referring to Jan. 1, three months after the 2018 season began in October. “It just helps to keep the ball rolling.”

He had some motivation. After earning his first ticket to ProRodeo’s grand finale two seasons ago, he just missed out on returning to Las Vegas – he finished 18th, and only the top 15 in the world standings advance to the NFR.

“Finishing 18th after making it the year before and not having a very good finals, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth,” he said. “I’m a man on a mission at the moment.”

He proved it in this west Texas city of nearly $101,000. He just missed earning a check in the opening round, then had a 3.4-second run in the second round to finish in a four-way tie for first place. Just competing in on Championship Friday was special, but winning the title made the repeat trips to San Angelo even better.

“That place is pretty awesome,” Talley said of San Angelo Coliseum. “They pack it every night. It’s pretty electric when you can run in a performance, especially the short round. It’s almost like a whole other level. It’s a small building, packed and loud. It’s not the same as the NFR, but it’s loud, so rodeo-wise, it’s comparable to Vegas.”

He hopes to return there, just most of the winners on Friday night. Bareback rider Logan Corbett of Las Cruces, N.M., was the only 2018 San Angelo champion who hasn’t played on the sport’s biggest stage.

For team ropers Clay Smith and Paul Eaves, their fourth season together is already looking to be one of their best. The two have qualified NFR three straight years together – Eaves was there three times before with reigning world champion header Dustin Bird. But through four and a half months of the 2018 season, Smith and Eaves have earned more than $38,000 each and sit No. 1 in their respective disciplines.

“Everything this time of year certainly helps you out,” said Smith, a header from Broken Bow, Okla. “There are a handful of good rodeos this time a year that a guy needs to do good at so you can set yourself up for the summer.”

San Angelo is one of the biggest and best large indoor rodeos in the country. Because it’s a wintertime stock show, the money won becomes even more valuable for the contestants that make their livings on the rodeo trail.

“This is really cool, because it’s a really good rodeo that I’ve always wanted to do good at,” said Eaves, a heeler from Lonedell, Mo. “Clay and I are on the same page and want to do good. We’re always looking for good horses and trying to do better all the time.

“When both guys are doing that, it sure helps.”

It certainly showed in San Angelo.

San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo

Feb. 2-4, Feb. 9-11, Feb. 14-16

Bareback riding leaders: 1. Logan Corbett, 87 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Black Widow, $4,185; 2. Luke Creasy, 86.5, $3,209; 4. David Peebles, 85.5, $2,372; 5. (tie) Will Lowe, Tanner Aus and Justin Pollmiller, 85, $1,070 each; 7. Richmond Champion, 84, $558; 8. (tie) J.R. Vezain and Levi Nicholson, 83.5, $209 each. Finals: 1. J.R. Vezain, 89.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Topped Off, $1,650; 2. (tie) Wyatt Denny, Will Lowe and Logan Corbett, 89, $916 each; 5. (tie) Richmond Champion and Tanner Aus, 86, $300 each. Average: 1. Logan Corbett, 176 points on two rides, $4,185; 2. Will Lowe, 174, $3,208; 3. J.R. Vezain, 173, $2.372; 4. (tie) Wyatt Denny and Tanner Aus, 171, $1,256 each; 6. Richmond Champion, 170, $698; 7. Luke Creasy, 169, $558; 8. Justin Pollmiller, 167, $419.

WATCH Logan Corbett:
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Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Dakota Eldridge, 3.1 seconds, $3,653; 2. (tie) Craig Hicks, Brandon Harrison, Cameron Morman and Marcus Theriot, 3.5, $2,462 each; 6. (tie) John Kloeckler, Jarret New and Rowdy Parrott, 3.7, $794 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Dirk Tavenner, Clayton Hass, Jacob Talley and Cody Devers, 3.4 seconds, $2,938 each; 5. Chason Floyd, 3.5, $1,747; 6. (tie) Sam Powers and Cade Staton, 3.6, $1,032 each; 8. Cody Doescher, 3.7, $318. Finals: 1. (tie) Scott Guenthner and Tyler Waguespack, 3.7 seconds, $1,548 each; 3. Jacob Talley, 4.0, $1,224; 4. Cody Doescher, 4.2, $1,008; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 4.6, $792; 6. (tie) Cameron Morman and Blake Mindemann, 4.8, $468 each; 8. Denver Berry, 5.4, $144. Average: 1. Jacob Talley, 11.5 seconds on three runs, $5,480; 2. Dakota Eldridge, 11.7, $4,765; 3. Tyler Waguespack, 12.2, $4,050; 4. Scott Guenthner, 12.3, $3,336; 5. Cody Doescher, 12.6, $2,621; 6. Blake Mindemann, 12.7, $1,906; 7. Clayton Hass, 12.8, $1,191; 8. (tie) Cameron Morman and Craig Hicks, 13.3, $238 each.

Team roping: First round: 1. Steven Duby/Evan Arnold, 3.6 seconds, $3,471; 2. Tanner Green/Cody Hogan, 3.8, $3,105; 3. Brock Hanson/Ryan Motes, 3.9, $2,639; 4. (tie) Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, Cory Kidd/Caleb Anderson and Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koonts, 4.0, $1,808 each; 7. (tie) Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, J.B. James Jr/Cesar de la Cruz and Bobby Baize/Justin Fox, 4.1, $362 each. Second round: 1. Nelson Wyatt/Trace Porter, 3.6 seconds, $3,571; 2. Bubba Buckaloo/Joseph Harrison, 3.8, $3,105; 3. Luke Brown/Jake Long and Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 3.9, $2,406; 5. (tie) Tom Richards/Jake Smith, Tyler Mangus/Truman Leo Mangus, Colby Lovell/Ty Arnold and Colby Lovell/Ty Arnold, 4.0, $1,009. Finals: 1. Tyler Waters/Britt Bockius, 5.1 seconds, $1,6,35; 2. Logan Olson/Matt Kasner, 5.2, $1,363; 3. Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley, 5.4, $1,090; 4. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 5.7, $818; 5. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 5.8, $545; no other qualified runs. Average: 1. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves,14.1 seconds on three runs, $5,356; 2. Dusitn Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 14.2, $4,657; 3. Tyler Waters/Britt Bockius, 14.3, $3,959; 4. Logan Olson/Matt Kasner, 14.4, $3,260; 5. Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley, 14.9, $2,561; 6. Steven Duby/Evan Arnold, 8.2 seconds on two runs, $1,863; 7. Tom Richards/Jake Smith, 8.3, $1,164; 8. Brock Hanson/Ryan Motes,8.4, $466.

Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Wade Sundell, 88.5 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Morning Tea, $3,466; 2. Taos Muncy, 87, $2,658; 3. Ryder Wright, 85.5, $1,964; 4. Zeke Thurston, 85, $1,271; 5. Audy Reed, 84.5, $809; 6. (tie) Sterling Crawley and Clay Elliott, 84, $520; 8. (tie) Tyrel Larsen and Jade Blackwell, 83, $173 each. Finals: 1. Clay Elliott, 87.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Delta Dawn, $1,650; 2. Wade Sundell, 86.5, $1,250; 3. Ryder Wright, 86, $900; 4. Tyrel Larsen, 83.5, $600; 5. (tie) Jade Blackwell and Sterling Crawley, 82.5, $300 each. Average: 1. Wade Sundell, 175 points on two rides, $3,466; 2. (tie) Clay Elliott and Ryder Wright, 171.5, $2,311 each; 4. (tie) Tyrel Larsen and Sterling Crawley, 166.5, $1,040 each; 6. Jade Blackwell, 165.5, $578; 7. Zeke Thurston, 164.5, $462; 8. (tie) Rusty Wright and Audy Reed, 163.5, $173 each.

WATCH Wade Sundell:
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Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Weldon Watson, 7.1 seconds, $4,942; 2. Scott Kormos, 7.3, $4,297; 3. (tie) Cory Solomon and Westyn Hughes, 7.7, $3,330 each; 5. (tie) Blane Cox, Zack Jongbloed and Cody Huber, 7.8, $1,719 each; 8. Cody Craig, 7.9, $430. Second round: 1. Tuf Cooper, 7.0 seconds, $4,942; 2. Trevor Brazile, 7.4, $4,297; 3. Michael Perry, 7.7, $3,652; 4. Cade Swor, 7.8, $3,008; 5. (tie) Blane Cox and Garrett Jacobs, 7.9, $2,041 each; 7. (tie) Trent Creager, Hunter Herrin and Ryan Watkins, 8.0, $501 each. Finals: 1. D.J. Parker, 7.7 seconds, $1,990; 2. (tie) Marcus Theriot and Blane Cox, 8.0, $1,600 each; 4. Scott Kormos, 8.5, $1,211; 5. Trell Etbauer, 9.0, $952; 6. Michael Perry, 9.1, $692; 7. Timber Moore, 9.7, $433; 8. Hunter Herrin, 10.9, $173. Average: 1. Blane Cox, 23.7 seconds on three runs, $7,412; 2. Scott Kormos, 24.7, $6,446; 3. D.J. Parker, 25.2, $5,479; 4. Marcus Theriot, $4,512; 5. (tie) Michael Perry and Timber Moore, 26.6, $3,062 each; 7. Trell Etbauer, 26.7, $1,611; 8. Hunter Herrin, 27.2, $645.

WATCH Blane Cox:
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Barrel racing: First round: 1. Lisa Lockhart, 15.71 seconds, $5,193; 2. Ilyssa Glass, 15.83, $4,451; 3. Kylie Weast, 15.84, $3,709; 4. Christine Laughlin, 15.85, $3,215; 5. Amberleigh Moore, 15.86, $2,473; 6. Sara Withers, 15.92, $1,978; 7. (tie) Hailey Kinsel and Kellie Collier, 15.96, $1,236 each; 9. (tie) Ivy Hurst and Jana Bean, 15.97, $618 each. Second round: 1. Amberleigh Moore, 14.15 seconds, $5,193; 2. Teri Bangart, 14.21, $4,451; 3. Cindy Smith, 14.27, $3,709; 4. Carman Pozzobon, 14.28, $3,215; 5. Tyra Kane, 14.30, $2,473; 6. Tammy Fischer, 14.32, $1,978; 7. (tie) Kaycie Teague and Hailey Kinsel, 14.35, $1,236 each; 9. (tie) Sissy Winn and Dena Kirkpatrick, 14.39, $618 each; 9. Alex Lang, 14.40; 10. Callahan Crossley, 14.41. Finals: 1. Amberleigh Moore, 14.14 seconds, $3,847; 2. Sissy Winn, 14.15, $2,885; 3. Hailey Kinsel, 14.22, $1,923; 4. Lisa Lockhart, 14.26, $962. Average: 1. Amberleigh Moore, 44.15 seconds on three runs, $7,790; 2. Lisa Lockhart, 44.40, $6,677; 3 (tie) Hailey Kinsel and Christine Laughlin, 44.53, $5,193 each; 5. (tie) Sissy Winn and Kellie Collier, 44.69, $3,339 each; 7. Tillar Murray, 44.82, $2,226; 8. Tyra Kane, 44.89, $1,484; 9. Cindy Smith, 45.15, $1,113; 10. Alex Long, 45.25, $742.

WATCH Amberleigh Moore:
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Bull riding: First round: 1. Sage Kimzey, 91 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Lonesome You, $2,734; 2. Trey Benton III, 90.5, $2,863; 3. (tie) Jordan Wacey Spears and Brett Stall, 88.5, $1742 each; 5. Cody Rostockyj, 87.5, $871;65. Tyler Bingham, 87, $622; 7. J.W. Harris, 86.5, $498; 8. Ednei Caminhas, 85.5, $373. Finals: 1. Trey Benton III, 90 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Jay Z, $1,650; 2. J.W. Harris, 89, $1,250; 3. Jordan Wacey Spears, 88, $900; 4. Ednei Caminhas, 86.5, $600; 5. Brett Stall, 85, $350; 6. Sage Kimzey, 83, $250. Average: 1. Trey Benton III, 180.5 points on two rides, $3,734; 2. Jordan Wacey Spears, 176.5, $2,863; 3. J.W. Harris, 175.5, $2,116; 4. Sage Kimzey, 174, $1,369; 5. Brett Stall, 173.5, $871; 6. Ednei Caminhas, 172, $622; 7. Cody Rostockyj, 87.5 points on one ride, $498; 8. Tyler Bingham, 87, $373.

WATCH Trey Benton III:

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