Dustin Egusquiza and JC Flake set the PRCA world record—by a full three tenths of a second—with their 2.9-second run at Rodeo Austin March 25, sending them to the lead in the second round of the two-and-a-short rodeo.
The existing record of 3.2 had stood for less than a year—set in Nampa, Idaho at the Snake River Stampede by Mason Appleton and Rance Doyal and then tied again a week earlier in Rodeo Austin by James Arviso and Rance Doyal again. Egusquiza and Flake had a leg on their first-round steer, so nothing held them back from going at ’em in Round 2.
TRJ: Okay. What did you know about that steer going into the run?
Dustin Egusquiza: That steer had been in Denver and Tucson and everything. He never did hop very good. He was pretty fast and to the left. So I knew if I did catch him, I wanted to mash on him as hard as I could. Maybe he’d give JC at least one hop—and he did.
Even the night before, Kolby Kreiger and Marty had him, and he kind of just threw his head up and didn’t work very good. So we figured we had one chance to make it work, and it definitely worked out.
TRJ: So what did you see?
Dustin Egusquiza: The start is kind of slower down there. It’s a shorter barrier, but it takes a while for the steer to get through the chute and give you something to see. That’s what it felt like the first night anyway.
That steer was pretty sharp the first night—faster—so it let me not worry too much about the start. I think I saw horns coming by the end of the gate and maybe floated a little bit. That was the good thing about him—I didn’t have to worry much about scoring.
TRJ: Did you feel like you got it out of your hand faster than you ever have before?
Dustin Egusquiza: No. I’ve definitely thrown it faster before—and I’ve been flagged out plenty of times.
TRJ: Did you feel like you should have gotten flagged out?
Dustin Egusquiza: No. I felt like I was in the barrier. I was throwing it right as my horse got there. I’ve had runs where I felt like I was still in the middle of the box, and it didn’t feel like that at all last night.
TRJ: What about JC’s throw? Did he feel like he threw faster than he should have, or was that just the only chance he had with that steer?
Dustin Egusquiza:
I think crossfire has been kind of up in the air since they changed the rule. There’s a lot of gray area with flaggers.
If you look at Austin right now, I’d say 80% of the guys winning money are throwing on the same hop. So it’s considered legal nowadays. It’s not like we’re the only ones doing it. In my opinion, the run was legal all the way around.
TRJ: What does it mean to you to have that 2.9?
Dustin Egusquiza: Man… ever since I was a kid—yeah, a gold buckle is huge—but the fastest time ever recorded? That’s something I’ve dreamed about my whole life.
I’ve come close so many times. I had a share of it for a little while, but that wasn’t quite as cool as last night. Someone went 3.2 last year and again in Austin. To have it by myself now—and to be part of the first two-second run ever—it’s crazy. It’s a dream come true.
TRJ: JC, did you think that was your only shot on that steer last night?
JC Flake: Yeah, that was our game plan. The night before, that steer threw his head up and was pretty terrible. We’ve seen him at other rodeos too—he doesn’t like to take the handle very well.
He kind of wants to throw his head up and stay in one place, almost throw himself down.
TRJ: What were you watching during that run?
JC Flake: I always see Dustin’s head rope in my peripheral vision. I knew when it came by it was fast, and then it was kind of just a blur.
I could feel that I heeled him really good and got enough loop down. Then I was just trying to get him stopped because he was big. I’d say I was watching his hips and right hock.
TRJ: Did you feel the same about the crossfire as Dustin? That it’s just a shot people are taking now?
JC Flake: Yeah. If you watch rodeos now, people are taking that shot. The flagger thought it was legal, I thought it was legal. I’m happy to be part of it.
On that steer, I don’t think if you go another hop you catch him. I was going to take that shot no matter what based on the video from the night before.
TRJ: What does the world record mean to you? 2.9 is wild.
JC Flake: It’s unreal to be in the twos. When Dustin and I went 3.3, we knew we had a chance to go faster. We always talked about it. Then someone went 3.2.
But 2.9… I don’t even have words. When I saw it, I didn’t know what to do—yell, run, anything. We used to mess around at home saying we were 2.9, but never thought it could actually happen.
TRJ: Do you think the cattle situation with the border being closed has contributed to faster times?
JC Flake: I think so. Stock contractors are doing the best they can, but there aren’t many options. Some of those older steers are being used longer than normal.
Austin’s a fast setup too. And honestly, it’s hard for a heeler to be 2.9 without a header like Dustin. That’s just the truth. He made it possible for me to catch two feet that fast.
TRJ: What did you guys say to each other afterward?
JC Flake: We were all in the truck on the way there—me, Dustin, and Travis Graves—and TG said if we went 3.1 he’d throw his hat. So he still owes us a hat throw.
We all just kind of shook hands. Everyone was in shock.
TRJ: Were you on your mare, PlayinMetallicaFuel?
JC Flake: Yes, ma’am.
TRJ: Now you’ve got a world-record mare.
JC Flake: Yeah, I guess you can say that now.
