Rodeo Media RelationsContact: Ted Harbin
(660) 254-1900
Rodeo Media Relations
Contact: Ted Harbin
(660) 254-1900
GEARY, Okla. (Aug. 30, 2007) – Saddle bronc rider Bobby Griswold knows what it’s like to be among the elite cowboys competing for a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association championship.
He’s been in that position for more than a decade, having made his way to ProRodeo’s premier event, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, three times – in 1999, 2004 and 2006. Now he’s pushing himself to return to Las Vegas in December, where ProRodeo’s champions are crowned.
Griswold is coming off the biggest victory of his season, when he won the first round of the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour’s Ariat Playoffs in Caldwell, Idaho. You see, Griswold was in a precarious position to advance through the playoff system, having finished the 21-event regular tour season in 31st place on the money list
Only the top 23 contestants on the money list after the Caldwell round – and the event winners from Caldwell – advanced to Round 2, which takes place Sept. 7-8 in Puyallup, Wash. Griswold earned the saddle bronc riding title in Caldwell, thereby earning the bye to compete in Puyallup.
But he also earned more than $8,000 in Idaho, which is a key factor in not only determining one’s place in the playoffs but also in the world standings – the top 15 competitors on the money list in each event at the season’s end qualify for the NFR.
To see Griswold in action, tune in next week to Fox Sports Net for the first of the three-show performance of the Caldwell Night Rodeo, the opening round of the Ariat Playoffs. For air dates and times, log on to www.prorodeotour.com.
The Caldwell Round was the first of four Ariat Playoffs and was hosted by the Caldwell Night Rodeo. A total of 288 rodeo athletes competed for a share of the $322,000 purse. The first show will focus on action from the long rounds of competition, while the second and third shows will feature the semifinal and final round action from Caldwell, Idaho. FSN will begin televising the semifinal round the week of Sept. 10, with the final round slated for the week of Sept. 17.
Griswold sits 25th in the world standings, about $13,000 outside of the coveted No. 15 spot that would secure his fourth trip to the NFR. But another quality run in Puyallup and other rodeos that are on the horizon during the final month of the regular season will ensure his spot in ProRodeo’s grand finale.
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