Published: May 20, 2009 10:19 pm      

Watkins finally earning big bucks in tie-down roping

Since winning the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association men’s all-around and calf roping titles in 2004 at Tarleton State, Ryan Watkins has been viewed as an up-and-comer, but the Stephenville cowboy never gained the momentum he needed in the pro ranks.

“It seemed like every year, if I could just get that one big win under my belt, it would springboard me,” said Watkins, who is entered in the Windy Ryon Memorial Roping this weekend in Fort Worth. “But I just struggled. I would place here and there, but I never could get that one really good win.”

That all changed at RodeoHouston in March, when the 28-year-old picked up the big victory he had been looking for when he pocketed $50,000 for winning the tie-down roping title. Watkins now appears close to posting enough earnings to advance to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December in Las Vegas.

In the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings released Monday, Watkins leads in tie-down roping with $63,387.

In order to qualify for the National Finals, a contestant must finish in the top 15 in a single event. Last year, Scott Kormos qualified for the NFR in the 15th slot in tie-down roping with $66,304.

With the $63,387 in regular-season earnings already and plenty of lucrative rodeos on the horizon, Watkins’ chances of claiming his first NFR berth appear bright.

“You are competing against the same group of guys all year, but when you finally get that one big win, it just gives you that boost,” Watkins said.



Saying goodbye — Professional Bull Riders star J.W. Hart is scheduled to make his final ride during the annual bull riding show that bears his name Saturday night in Decatur.

Hart, a 34-year-old Overbrook, Okla. cowboy who has more than $1.35 million in PBR earnings, said he will face his last bull at the sixth annual JW Hart PBR Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour show.

Last weekend, Hart, the 2002 PBR World Finals average winner, was inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor, along with three-time PBR world champion Adriano Moraes and two-time world champion Justin McBride, during ceremonies in Pueblo, Colo.



Lostroh maintains lead — Though he wore an arm brace while nursing a nagging elbow injury on his left (riding) arm throughout last weekend’s PBR Built Ford Tough Series tour stop in Pueblo, world title race leader Kody Lostroh finished eighth overall after turning in a money-winning first-round score of 89.25. In the world standings, Lostroh has 8,335 points and second-ranked Guilherme Marchi has 7,537.25.

Lostroh has a torn tendon on the outside of his left elbow and an old fracture inside. And while the Ford Series takes a two-month break, the Colorado superstar will work on recuperating for the final stretch of the season.



Murray’s farewell — Although seven-time world all-around champion Ty Murray of Stephenville and his partner Chelsie Hightower were eliminated during last week’s semifinal round of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”, their fans had the chance to watch them once more. They danced on Tuesday night during the season finale before Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson was crowned champion.