Brodey Clemons is turning early rookie-year consistency into confidence after winning the average at the Resistol Rookie Round-Up in Fort Worth, Texas.
Clemons turned in an 18.5 on two head to win the average and $1,817, adding a Round 1 win with a 9.5 worth $1,641 and a 9.0 for second in Round 2 worth $1,231, bringing his total Fort Worth earnings to $5,334. His Rookie Round-Up earnings helped push him a little farther ahead of Kyan Wilhite, who sits No. 2 in the Resistol Rookie standings, and into the thick of the world standings race at No. 20.
“I had a busy week last week,” Clemons said. “I went to Austin and did not draw very good at all, got kicked twice. Then went to Mercedes and got kicked. I was roping good, just not drawing very good. Then I went to the Rookie Round-Up and was first out in Round 1. I was told they lengthened the barrier a foot and I had no idea what the calves did. I just went and made a run.”
Clemons’ Rookie Round-Up Results and Strategy
In Round 1, Clemons was the gunner and set the pace for the rest of the field, which wound up working in his favor.
“I didn’t think I was going to win first, but I knew I’d be sitting just right for the average,” Clemons said. “So I slowed down and made a good run and ended up winning it because the calves got stronger as it went on. They were pretty tough.”
With the draw advantage flipping in Round 2, Clemons shifted his mindset from chasing a go-round win to protecting the average.
“I knew I had a great calf,” Clemons said. “They won second on him the night before. I was last out and knew I had to be like 11 flat to win it. I just went in there, made sure I caught and tied him down and wanted to secure that win. I wasn’t worried about the round or nothing.”
Rookie Year Plans with Shane Hanchey
Clemons’ rookie season will include hauling with veteran Shane Hanchey, a decision he believes will shape far more than just his entering strategy.
“There’s so much more that goes into it that I’ve learned than just roping calves and winning,” Clemons said. “He’s made a career out of it for a long time and made the NFR in different eras. He’s going to enter for a good run on the calves and get trades and all the important stuff I’m going to need.”
The Florida native grew up around the Hanchey family and said those early connections helped make the call a little easier.
“Before I called him, I thought there’s really no one better I could pick if I was going to travel with someone because he’s made the NFR 16 times in a row,” Clemons said. “I’m pretty blessed he said yes because I would be lost out there on my own.”
Brodey Clemons’ Horse Power for 2026 Rookie Season
Clemons heads down the road with three horses he believes will match different setups across the summer run.
“Ernie (DMAC Iron Spoon) is who I rode at the rookie roundup,” Clemons said. “He’s probably 16 now. He’s really good on good calves and short setups like Denver and Austin. He’s never going to try and hurt me. He’s always going to try to help me.”
The chestnut gelding MR Quixotes Playmate, known as Sunday, was previously ridden by Bo Pickett and owned by Clemons’ brother, Cole, and carried Clemons through much of his permit season.
“I rode him mainly all last summer and won a good bit of money,” Clemons said. “He worked good.”
Adding a new mare, Light Merada Talks, known as Riata, came at the right time and filled what Clemons felt was a missing piece.
“I had two good horses, but I kind of needed one more,” Clemons said. “In the style she is, it just fit perfect with what I already have and what I needed.”
NFR Goals and Rookie Standings Race
While the rookie title remains a target, Clemons’ perspective has widened after a year of learning on his permit and jackpotting against the same calf ropers who make the NFR each year.
“As soon as I turned 18, I won a lot of money in Vegas and thought I was hot stuff,” Clemons laughed. “Then I got my butt kicked at Denver and realized I needed to rodeo on my permit to figure things out. I’m glad I did. I’ve learned a lot.”
Moving west from Florida to rope regularly with NFR contenders sharpened his expectations.
“If you don’t tie calves in seven, you’re not going to win a dollar,” Clemons said. “It gets pretty expensive if you don’t win.”
With a competitive rookie class full of many familiar faces, Clemons believes the push could elevate several of them beyond the rookie standings alone.
“Kyan and I have been duking it out for three years now,” Clemons said. “I think it’s going to push both of us to make the NFR instead of just trying to win rookie of the year. Then we can duke it out there for 10 rounds. That’d be fun.”
For now, Clemons’ goal remains simple.
“I’m just ready to rodeo,” Clemons said. “I love roping calves. I like seeing new places and I’m really competitive. Having a goal to make the NFR makes it more fun because you’re always roping for a purpose.”