In the season-long dogfight that is professional team roping, JoJo LeMond and defending World Champion Heeler Randon Adams, kept scrapping with their win at the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo in San Juan Capistrano.
The rodeo, held on a converted polo field, boasts itself as the richest two-day rodeo in the PRCA. With a total payoff of $191,650 and entries limited to the top 30 contestants in the world, it’s truly a show with no peer.
LeMond and Adams took the title by roping their steer in 5.0 seconds, the win being worth $5,704 per man.
Jake Hannum also clawed his way into contention for his second Wrangler NFR berth with a win in San Juan Capistrano. He tied his calf in 7.4 seconds and won $5,776 to move into 18th place in the world standings.
Legendary saddle bronc rider and Five-Time World Champion Billy Etbauer showed that, at 46 years old, he remains a favorite for the world title. By scoring 87 points on Flying Five Rodeo’s Spring Blues, Etbauer added $6,527 to his world standings total.
Bareback rider Ryan Gray, who earlier in the summer tied the world record for the highest marked ride in his event, followed up with an 86-point ride on Beutler Brothers & Cervi’s Little Bo Peep to win $7,496.
Wade Sumpter, who last year tore his pectoral muscle at the Wrangler NFR and was forced to withdraw, returned to competition in June after surgery. With only half a season to do it, he’s scrambling for his fourth Wrangler NFR trip. By throwing his steer in 3.4 seconds and winning $4,395 in San Juan Capistrano, he was able to keep his hopes alive and move to 24th in the world standings.
Bull rider Jason Beck rode Flying U Rodeo’s Curveball for 89 points and $6,527 to win the bull riding while Clint Robinson won $3,470 in steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping for the all-around title.
