‘We actually get to do our job.’ Rodeo competitors back in saddle after other work.

World-class steer wrestler Clayton Hass of Weatherford was relying on his construction business to support his family while pro rodeo activity had been shut down in recent weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association returned to work for the first time since March 15 on the May 22-24 weekend in Cave Creek, Arizona, near Phoenix. From there, the PRCA migrated to the Fort Worth Stockyards where organizers transferred the remainder of the Houston Rodeo’s preliminary performances to Cowtown Coliseum.

No fans were allowed as the May 29-31 performances were broadcast on the Cowboy Channel. Most of the personnel wore masks unless competing or taking part in TV interviews, and everyone underwent temperature screening.

Hass finished in the money in each of the three performances Sunday. He finished third in the morning show with a time of 4.0 seconds tied for fourth in the matinee with a 4.3 and won the evening rodeo with a 3.6.

Hass was grateful to compete again.

“We actually get to do our job,” he said. “It was good for me, I’ve been in the gym and I work every day.”

Hass, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo bulldogging qualifier, was denied the chance to compete in Houston in March when COVID-19 concerns shut down the show during the latter part of its three week-run.

He last competed on the PRCA circuit March 7-8 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington at the RFD-TV The American. Since then, Hass had been heavily focused on running his construction business that includes building barns and fences.

“I’ve been working a ton, and now we’re back to rodeo,” he said. “I actually have not ran a steer since The American semifinals and that was back in March, almost three months away.”

Defending PRCA all-around champion Stetson Wright of Milford, Utah, finished in the money in two of his three saddle bronc performances Sunday. He won the morning show with an 86 and tied for second in the evening with an 84.5.

“We’re all sitting at home and all doing home stuff, which we don’t like to do, that’s why we rodeo, and then when they called us and tell us that they’re going to have an event like this, it’s awesome,” Wright said. “They had good horses and everything was good about this rodeo, the committee putting it on, it was just amazing.”

Finishing it out

PRCA officials praised the conclusion of the Houston Rodeo’s preliminary performances in Fort Worth a success.

“It [the Houston Rodeo] was a great event and unfortunately because of COVID it had to be ended early,” PRCA chief executive officer George Taylor said. “We felt the best way to approach it was to have the event and to get it to at least a common end point for everybody.”

Patrick Gottsch, the founder of the Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV, said last week’s event was convenient for his staff. The Cowboy Channel’s studios are located in the Stockyards near Cowtown Coliseum.

“ ... It makes it easy for us to put it on television instead of going to the expense to go somewhere else,” Gottsch said. “I hope it’s the first of many things we bring to the Fort Worth Stockyards. It’s perfect timing with all of the investments that’s being put into the Stockyards. There are a lot of events that could come to Fort Worth.”

The Fort Worth-based rodeo was part of the PRCA’s “Kick Open The Chutes” program that put rodeo personnel back to work after many shows were wiped out by the pandemic.

Despite no fans in the stands, organizers found other ways to create a lively atmosphere. For example, high-profile announcer Bob Tallman of Poolville who had been focusing on running his grass fed, all-natural beef business during the shutdown, called the action.

The PRCA also brought in multiple stock contracting firms that brought their better animals, which helped competitors make stonger rides. For example, the Stockyards ProRodeo firm featured a bull named Party Animal that helped three-time National Finals bull riding qualifier Tyler Bingham win the Sunday morning performance with a score of 87.

“We’re hoping to provide an example for those rodeo committees that might wonder whether it’s good for their community to continue during this COVID epidemic,” said Steve Rempelos, the PRCA’s chief marketing officer. “We need to figure out how to not cancel them, but to put rodeos on for our communities and our athletes.”

A busier month

Pro rodeo activity will start to heat up this month. The Mesquite Championship Rodeo will hold performances each Saturday starting this weekend. Saturday’s performance kicks off a summer season of 13 consecutive weeks.

The Mesquite Rodeo, which began in 1958, is in its 63rd year. The rodeo is approved by the PRCA.

The Lawton Liberty NTL Extreme Bulls, a PRCA show in Lawton, Oklahoma, is scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Fans will be allowed to attend the Mesquite Rodeo and the Lawton bull riding show, organizers said. This weekend, the Mesquite Rodeo will be opening at 25% capacity with pre-designated seating.

“At the end of the day, the most important thing for us to just find ways to get back,” Taylor said. “If you can go to a water park why can’t you come to a rodeo? If we’re on an airplane elbow to elbow, it’s no different than being in an arena elbow to elbow. So, let’s find ways to get it done.”