CLAREMORE, Okla. – While many cowboys are in a rush to make names for themselves, Bo Casper has a long-term plan to do the same thing.
The Fort Scott, Kan., cowboy competes at rodeos close to home in an effort to gain as many dollars as possible, earn his way up the standings and eventually qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He knows the road is tough, but he’s willing to take the tiny steps he needs to play among the elite in the sport.
“I use the circuit rodeos as my foundation to make the NFR,” said Casper, who on Saturday night rode the Western Trails horse Smokers Moment for 83 points to take the bareback riding lead at the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo. “It gives me a chance to keep my pocketbook filled and helps me keep from butting heads with the top five guys in the world at every rodeo.”
In rodeo, money earned doesn’t just pay bills; it also counts as points in the various standings. Casper competes in the Great Lakes Circuit, made up of rodeos and contestants in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. But because of its proximity to Missouri, money won in Claremore counts toward that circuit. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Claremore is just two hours from his house.
“It’s been a pretty good week so far,” said Casper, who was placing at rodeos in Tonganoxie, Kan., and Braham, Minn. “You just hope to get on good horses, and if you take care of your end of the deal, it works out for you.”
Just a few years ago, he finished the season No. 16 in the world standings, one spot out of qualifying for the NFR. He’s anxious to play on the biggest stage of the sport, but he also likes the idea of spending time at home with his girls: wife, Katie, and daughters Mesa, 4, and Kodi, 11 months.
“Before I had children, the hardest part of what I do was drawing the good horses,” Casper said. “Now it’s leaving home and being away from them. I just try to take them with me when I can.”
Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo
Claremore, Okla.
Saturday Night’s Performance
Bareback riding leaders
Through Saturday night
1. Bo Casper, 83 points on Western Trails' Smokers Moment
2. D.V. Fennell, 81
3. Jared Keylon, 80
4. Matt Bright, 76
5. Ryan Little, 69
6. Rooster Stewart, 66
Saddle bronc riding
Through Saturday night
1. Travis Darling, 81 points on Western Trail's Steller Feller
and Troy Crowser, 81 points on Rafter H Rodeo Livestock's Butter Bob
3. Ramey Jernigen, Cort Scheer and Cody Angland, 80
6. Sean Prater and Bobby Griswold, 79
Bull riding leaders
Through Saturday night
1. Tyler Smith, 90 points on Rafter H Rodeo Livestock's Best Yet
2. Corey Colvin, 88
3. Dustin Elliott, 81
4. Clayton Foltyn and Clint Craig, 80
6. Jesse Pohlmann, 77
Team roping results
Second-round leaders
Through Saturday night
1. Phillip McCoy/Jeff Brown, 6.0 seconds
2. Gregg Ash/Amos Kueffer, 6.8
3. Scott Lassiter/Brandon Keifer, 6.9
4. Jake Weddle/Shawn Herris, 7.2
5. Destry Graham/Jimmy Thomas, 7.3
6. Ryan Jarrett/Justin Walker, 7.5
7. Cody Butler/Gavin Foster, 7.8
8. Tyler Johnson/Lance Dobbins, 9.1
Tie-down roping leaders
Through Saturday night
1. Blair Burk, 8.3 seconds
2. P.J. Spencer, 8.6
3. Blake Deckarad and Cole Bailey, 8.7
4. Ryan Jarrett, 8.8
5. Tanner Harris, 9.2
6. Jake DeGeer, 9.3
Barrel racing leaders
Through Saturday night
1. Susan Kay Smith, 17.57 seconds
2. Jessi Eagleberger, 17.67
3. Jesse Alsup and Tanya Steinhoff, 17.78
5. Jana Turner, 17.82
6. Savanah Reeves and Courtenay DeHoff, 17.84
8. Shelley Morgan and Jennifer Turner, 17.85|
9. Layna Kight, 17.91
10. Wendy Temple, 17.99
Steer wrestling leaders
Through Saturday night
1. Shane Henderson, 3.6 seconds
2. Ronnie Fields and John C. VanderWagen, 4.04. Jeffrey Talley, Tooter Silver, Cody Charmasson and Garrett Nokes, 4.2
