As the iconic Pendleton Round-Up came to a close, Ty Harris and Preston Pederson found themselves on top in the calf roping, taking home $7,472 each.
Pederson came into the Pendleton finals in sixth in the average, with Harris on his heels in seventh. After the final round, the pair landed at the top of the average with 30.1 seconds on three head.
Splitting the win was mutually beneficial to both parties—for Harris in the world standings and Pederson in the Columbia River Circuit standings.
Pederson, a 27-year-old all-around Cowboy from Hermiston, Oregon, is 26th in the Columbia River Circuit tie-down standings, which is sure to change with the addition of the $8,460 he won in the average and the rounds in Pendleton.
The 26-year-old five-time NFR qualifier Harris added $8,980 to his 2024 season earnings at Pendleton aboard his good horse Andy, who also took Paden Bray to a round win in Pendleton. Harris is currently second in the world, $25,363 shy of leader Shad Mayfield, with $217,408 won in the 2024 season.
“I didn’t think there was any way I would be even close to first,” Harris said. “I thought I’d win third, fourth or fifth, but it just worked out”, said Harris. “This is a big win for me. I’ve done well at Pendleton in the past, but this is a marquee win that everyone wants to have on their resume. It’s been a slow month for me, so it was nice to finish off the northwest run with a big win.”
Harris is not only second in the world but also has a commanding lead in the Playoff Series standings.
“I try to get to every Playoff Series rodeo I can get to,” said Harris. “I know how important it is to be in Puyallup and Sioux Falls at the end of the year. Whether I am fighting for a world title or to get into Vegas, the Playoff Series rodeos play a huge role.”
With over $110,000 up for grabs in the tie-down at Sioux Falls, Harris has a foolproof strategy—two weeks of nothing but practice.
“I’ve got two weeks to practice,” said Harris. “I got some calves bought and a couple of horses ready, so I’m going to practice and get on that grind to be ready for Sioux Falls.”
Harris might be $26,000 behind the 2020 World Champion Mayfield in the world standings, but with the late-season money still up for grabs, it could be anyone’s game, including Haven Meged or Riley Webb’s.
“I plan to do the best I can and be prepared every time I rope,” Harris said. “It’s not just Shad (that Harris is chasing in the world standings race); Haven Meged and Riley Webb are right there, and those are all three World Champions. I have to be the best I can be, be prepared and go execute.”
-CalfRoping.com-
